Moving to Adams, Wisconsin

The current estimated population of Adams is 1,900, with 47% male and 53% female. The population has remained steady, with slight increases driven by local economic activities and tourism.

City Facts

  • Year founded: 1911
  • County: Adams County
  • Land area: 2.3 square miles
  • Population density: 826 people per square mile
  • Area code: 608
  • Zip code: 53910

Geography and Location

Adams is located in south-central Wisconsin, serving as the county seat of Adams County. Situated near Castle Rock Lake and Petenwell Lake, it is a popular spot for outdoor recreation such as boating, fishing, and hiking. The city lies along Wisconsin State Highway 13, which connects it to other regional centers like Wisconsin Rapids and Baraboo. Surrounded by forests and farmlands, Adams is a gateway to many natural attractions. The area experiences a humid continental climate with cold, snowy winters and warm summers, typical of Wisconsin’s interior.

Demographics

Median resident age: 38.7 years
Median household income: $26,250
Median house value: $58,200

Population by Race

Races in Adams:

  • White Non-Hispanic (96.5%)
  • Hispanic (1.9%)
  • Two or more races (1.2%)
  • American Indian (0.8%)

Ancestries: German (38.2%), Irish (12.7%), Norwegian (10.8%), Polish (8.8%), English (6.7%), French (6.1%).

Land area: 2.9 square miles

Population by Education

For population 25 years and over in Adams

  • High school or higher: 72.2%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.6%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 7.0%
  • Unemployed: 14.8%
  • Mean travel time to work: 21.3 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Adams city

  • Never married: 21.3%
  • Now married: 50.1%
  • Separated: 2.6%
  • Widowed: 13.3%
  • Divorced: 12.6%

1.9% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: +218 (+12.9%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Adams:

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Adams:

  • VOLK FIELD (about 30 miles; CAMP DOUGLAS, WI; Abbreviation: VOK)
  • CENTRAL WISCONSIN (about 57 miles; MOSINEE, WI; Abbreviation: CWA)
  • DANE COUNTY REGIONAL-TRUAX FIELD (about 66 miles; MADISON, WI; Abbreviation: MSN)

Other public-use airports nearest to Adams:

  • ADAMS COUNTY LEGION FIELD (about 3 miles; FRIENDSHIP (ADAMS), WI; Abbreviation: 63C)
  • NECEDAH (about 20 miles; NECEDAH, WI; Abbreviation: DAF)
  • MAUSTON-NEW LISBON UNION (about 24 miles; NEW LISBON, WI; Abbreviation: 82C)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Adams:

  • UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-STEVENS POINT (about 43 miles; STEVENS POINT, WI; Full-time enrollment: 8,083)
  • MADISON AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE (about 66 miles; MADISON, WI; Full-time enrollment: 7,914)
  • UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN COLLEGES (about 67 miles; MADISON, WI; Full-time enrollment: 8,737)
  • UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON (about 67 miles; MADISON, WI; Full-time enrollment: 37,607)
  • NORTHCENTRAL TECHNICAL COLLEGE (about 70 miles; WAUSAU, WI; Full-time enrollment: 2,039)
  • UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-OSHKOSH (about 89 miles; OSHKOSH, WI; Full-time enrollment: 9,057)
  • MORAINE PARK TECHNICAL COLLEGE (about 91 miles; FOND DU LAC, WI; Full-time enrollment: 3,037)

Schools

Public high schools in Adams:

  • ADAMS-FRIENDSHIP HI (Students: 649; Location: 1109 E NORTH ST; Grades: 09 – 12)
  • ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION SCHOOL (Students: 3; Location: 401 MAIN ST; Grades: 12 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Adams:

  • ADAMS-FRIENDSHIP MID (Students: 494; Location: 420 N MAIN ST; Grades: 06 – 08)
  • ADAMS-FRIENDSHIP EL (Students: 457; Location: 500 N PIERCE ST; Grades: PK – 12)
  • CASTLE ROCK EL (Students: 139; Location: 1517 COUNTY HIGHWAY H; Grades: PK – 05)

Libraries

Library in Adams:

  • ADAMS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $209,429; Location: 101 S. MAIN ST.; 30,384 books; 939 audio materials; 1,605 video materials; 109 serial subscriptions)