The original name of the city was Puddleville.[5] The city's first postmaster, Joel "Uncle Jack" Parrish, wanted to change the name of the city. It is believed that he saw the name "Philadelphia" on a croaker sack and struck out the first and last four letters to create the present name of Adel.[6]
On January 22, 2017, a low-end EF3 tornado struck the extreme southern portion of Adel. Sunshine Acres, a local mobile home park, experienced severe damage, with over 20 homes destroyed and others damaged; seven residents were killed and an indeterminate number were injured or displaced.[9] The tornado ultimately killed 14 people.[10] An EF1 tornado also moved through the city on April 23, 2020[11] On January 22, 2023, a low-end EF2 tornado caused major damage on the north side of town.[12]
According to the United States Census Bureau, Adel has a total area of 8.2 square miles (21.3 km2), of which 8.1 square miles (20.9 km2) is land and 0.19 square miles (0.5 km2), or 2.21%, is water.[14]
The climate in this area is characterized by relatively high temperatures and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Adel has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[15]
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 5,571 people, 2,111 households, and 1,108 families residing in the city.
Education
Cook County School District
The Cook County School District holds pre-school to grade twelve, and consists of two elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school.[30] The district has 188 full-time teachers and over 3,215 students.[31]
^Georgia Event Report: EF3 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. 2017. Retrieved April 20, 2017 – via National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Tallahassee, Florida.Georgia Event Report: EF3 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. 2017. Retrieved April 20, 2017 – via National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Tallahassee, Florida.Georgia Event Report: EF3 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. 2017. Retrieved April 20, 2017 – via National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Tallahassee, Florida.