Ada, Minnesota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ada, Minnesota
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| Nickname(s):
"Heart of the Valley"
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| Motto(s):
Alive and Thriving!
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| Country | United States |
| State | Minnesota |
| County | Norman |
| Founded | 1874 |
| Incorporated | February 9, 1881 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.34 sq mi (3.47 km2) |
| • Land | 1.34 sq mi (3.47 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 906 ft (276 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,740 |
| • Estimate
(2022)
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1,719 |
| • Density | 1,297.54/sq mi (501.01/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Code |
56510
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| Area code(s) | 218 |
| FIPS code | 27-00172 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0639200 |
| Sales tax | 7.375% |
Ada (pronounced AY-duh) is a small city in Norman County, Minnesota, United States. In 2020, about 1,740 people lived there. Ada is important because it is the county seat, which means it's where the main government offices for Norman County are located.
Two major roads, Highway 9 and Highway 200, pass through the city.
Contents
History of Ada
Ada was first planned out in 1874. It officially became a city on February 9, 1881. The city was named after the daughter of William H. Fisher. He was a lawyer and manager for the St. Paul and Pacific Railroad. This railroad helped build the area known as the Red River Valley.
A post office has been open in Ada since 1876. In the 1880s, Norman County was growing fast. The county needed a bigger building for its government offices. At that time, Norman County was larger than it is today. Another town, Twin Valley, was closer to the center of the county.
Starting in 1900, Twin Valley tried to become the new county seat. This would mean the new courthouse would be built there. After two requests and one vote, Ada won the challenge. It remained the county seat. In 1906, a new county called Mahnomen County was created. This made Norman County smaller and put Ada right in the middle.
Geography of Ada
Ada is located in Norman County, Minnesota. The city covers about 1.39 square miles (3.6 square kilometers) of land. There is no water area within the city limits.
Ada's Climate
Ada experiences a wide range of temperatures throughout the year. Summers are generally warm, while winters can be very cold. The area gets a good amount of rain, especially in the summer months.
Population and People
The number of people living in Ada has changed over the years. Here's a look at the population from different years:
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 138 | — | |
| 1890 | 622 | 350.7% | |
| 1900 | 1,253 | 101.4% | |
| 1910 | 1,432 | 14.3% | |
| 1920 | 1,411 | −1.5% | |
| 1930 | 1,285 | −8.9% | |
| 1940 | 1,938 | 50.8% | |
| 1950 | 2,121 | 9.4% | |
| 1960 | 2,064 | −2.7% | |
| 1970 | 2,076 | 0.6% | |
| 1980 | 1,971 | −5.1% | |
| 1990 | 1,708 | −13.3% | |
| 2000 | 1,657 | −3.0% | |
| 2010 | 1,707 | 3.0% | |
| 2020 | 1,740 | 1.9% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 1,719 | 0.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2020 Census |
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Ada's Population in 2010
In 2010, there were 1,707 people living in Ada. These people lived in 742 households. About 47% of these households were married couples. Around 29% of households had children under 18 living with them.
The average age of people in Ada was about 43.9 years old. About 24% of the residents were under 18. About 22% were 65 years old or older. Slightly more than half of the population (54.5%) was female.
Fun Things to Do in Ada
Ada is home to several fun events and places.
- Norman County Fair: This big fair happens every year in late June. It's a place where people from all over the county come together. You can enjoy rides, food stands, and see exhibits from groups like 4-H and FFA. There's also daily entertainment on the Tommy Roesch Memorial Stage.
- Fun in the Flatlands: This celebration takes place each fall, usually in September. It includes a parade, a car show, and a craft show. You can also visit Pioneer Days at Prairie Village. This is a collection of old buildings that are now museums. They show what life was like long ago.
- Old-Fashioned Family Christmas: In December, Ada hosts a special Christmas event. Highlights include a parade and chances to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. You can also watch free family movies at Ada's historic Orpheum Theatre. There's even an old-time snowmobile show.
Ada also has three buildings that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These are the Norman County Courthouse, the Congregational Church of Ada, and the Ada Village Hall. These buildings are important parts of Ada's history.
Education in Ada
Ada and the nearby community of Borup share a school district called Ada-Borup Schools. Both the elementary and high schools are located in Ada. The Borup school building closed in 2010.
The elementary school building was built in 1978 and serves students from pre-kindergarten to 6th grade. The high school, built in 1998, is for students in grades 7-12. The old high school building was destroyed in the 1997 Red River flood. The school district covers a large area and teaches about 530 students.
Ada-Borup Schools have a very high graduation rate, almost 98%. They offer many different classes, including "College in the High School" courses. These classes allow students to earn college credits while still in high school. Ada-Borup Secondary was even recognized as one of the top high schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for three years in a row.
Media in Ada
Ada has its own local newspaper and radio station.
- Newspaper: The Norman County Index is a weekly newspaper. It started in 1883 and is based in Ada. It is published every Tuesday.
- Radio: R&J Broadcasting operates the KRJB 106.5 FM radio station in Ada.
See also
In Spanish: Ada (Minnesota) para niños
