Washington

Adams

20,613
2020 population
1890
first census record
14
census records

About Adams

Adams, Washington, first appears in the United States federal census in 1890, when it recorded a population of 2,098. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 20,613.

The county's recorded population has risen across the decades to its highest level in 2020.

On the ground today, 2 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Wright's Horse Slaughter — Palouse Horse Herd (September 1858), Palouse River Fight 1858, and 12 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
202020,613
201018,728
200016,428
199013,603
198013,267
197012,014
19609,929
19506,584
19406,209
19307,719
19209,623
191010,920
19004,840
18902,098
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Adams

Military engagements that took place in Adams, Washington.

Wright's Horse Slaughter — Palouse Horse Herd (September 1858)
1858
Palouse River Fight 1858
1858

Historic places in Adams

National Register of Historic Places listings in Adams, Washington.

Ritzville Historic District
Ritzville
Ritzville High School
Ritzville
Strap Iron Corral
Hooper
Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Business Car No. 101
Othello
Ritzville Carnegie Library
Ritzville
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Other counties in Washington

Explore census history and historic records for more Washington counties.

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Everything a full report reveals about Adams County, Washington

This page charts the census history of Adams County, Washington. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
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Frequently asked about Adams

When does Adams first appear in the US census?
Adams, Washington first appears in the federal census in 1890, with a recorded population of 2,098.
What is the population of Adams?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Adams had a recorded population of 20,613.
Were any battles fought in Adams?
2 documented military engagements took place in Adams, including Wright's Horse Slaughter — Palouse Horse Herd (September 1858), Palouse River Fight 1858.
How many historic places are in Adams?
12 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Adams, Washington.
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