In 1913, Oregon Short Line Railroad built a branch into this part of Malheur County.

[5] There was a post office called Riverview on the east side of the Snake River and because the railroad did not want a station of the same name on the west side, the name Adrian was suggested by Reuben McCreary, who platted the townsite.

[5] Riverview post office was established in 1911, but moved across the river in 1915 and the name changed to Adrian in 1919.

[5] It was previously thought that the city was named for James Adrian, a sheep rancher, but he did not arrive in the area until 1916.

[6] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.24 square miles (0.62 km2), all of it land.

27.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

30.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 17.8% of families and 8.0% of the population living below the poverty line, including 3.1% of under eighteens and 22.5% of those over 64.