Ada was laid out in 1874. The town was named for the eldest daughter of William H. Fisher, attorney and superintendent of the Saint Paul and Pacific Railroad, who had died aged 6. A post office has been in operation at Ada since 1876. Ada was incorporated in 1881.
As of the census of 2010, there were 1,707 people, 742 households, and 436 families living in the city. The population density was. There were 837 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 94.9% White, 0.2% African American, 1.1% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 1.4% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.6% of the population. There were 742 households, of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% were married couplesliving together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.2% were non-families. 37.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.96. The median age in the city was 43.9 years. 24.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.2% were from 25 to 44; 26.3% were from 45 to 64; and 22.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 45.5% male and 54.5% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,657 people, 749 households, and 432 families living in the city. The population density was 1,234.4 people per square mile. There were 835 housing units at an average density of 622.1 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 96.44% White, 0.06% African American, 0.66% Native American, 0.54% Asian, 1.03% from other races, and 1.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.78% of the population. There were 749 households, out of which 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.2% were married couples living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.2% were non-families. 39.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 24.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.98. In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.5% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 24.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.9 male. The median income for a household in the city was $29,583, and the median income for a family was $43,162. Males had a median income of $30,924 versus $23,088 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,921. About 7.0% of families and 13.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.5% of those under age 18 and 21.5% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Ada and neighboring community Borup are served by the Ada-Borup Schools. Both the elementary and high schools are located in Ada, following the closing of the Borup site in 2010. The elementary building serves PreK-6 students and was built in 1978; the adjacent high school houses students in grades 7-12 and was constructed in 1998 following the devastating 1997 Red River flood, which destroyed the former 1953 building on Ada's east side. The district covers over 345 square miles and serves approximately 530 students. The Ada-Borup Schools boast a graduation rate near 98%, as well as a diverse offering of courses including "College in the High School" classes. Further, Ada-Borup Secondary was awarded a bronze medal by U.S. News & World Report for three consecutive years, recognizing it among the nation's top high schools.
Events and festivals
Ada is home to annual Norman County Fair. Held the last full weekend in June the fair is a gathering place for the whole county. The Thomas Carnival along with many food stands come together for this annual event. 4-H, FFA bring their exhibits to display. There is entertainment daily in the Tommy Roesch Memorial Stage. The Fun in the Flatlands celebration is held each fall, generally during the second weekend in September. The festival includes a parade, Pioneer Days at Prairie Village, old time demonstrations, kids' games, food stands, a craft show, a produce market, a car show, entertainment, and more. Finally, Ada hosts an Old-Fashioned Family Christmas each December, with highlights including a parade, opportunities for children to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus, free family movies at Ada's historic Orpheum Theatre, and an old-time snowmobile show.
Media
The Norman County Index is a weekly newspaper founded in 1883 and headquartered in Ada. It is published on Tuesdays and had a weekly circulation of 1,447 in 2019.
