[3][4][5] It was named for John Quincy Adams (1848–1919), a railroad official for the Milwaukee Road Railroad and distant relative of sixth U.S. President John Quincy Adams (1767–1848).

[6][7] In 1923, Adams County was the site of one of the deadliest tornadoes in North Dakota's recorded history.

[8] Adams County lies on the south line of North Dakota.

[9] Its terrain generally slopes eastward, and its highest point is on its upper west boundary line, at 3,002 ft (915 m) ASL.

In terms of ancestry, 51.8% were German, 29.9% were Norwegian, 8.0% were Irish, 7.4% were Swedish, 7.1% were English, 5.4% were Russian, and 4.6% were American.