Andrew Davies nodded against the crossbar as County threatened early in the match.
Another header, by Michael Gardyne, was kept out superbly by Accies goalkeeper Remi Matthews and the save prompted the attack that gave Hamilton the lead.
The hosts countered and Imrie clipped the ball past Scott Fox.
With playmaker Ali Crawford sidelined after suffering a concussion in training on Friday, more pressure was on 33-year-old Dougie Imrie to provide the attacking spark.
And he did that, squeezing in his first goal in the league this season and fourth overall from a few yards out.
Danny Redmond's introduction almost led to more Accies goals as he played in Eamonn Brophy and Imrie again, but County goalkeeper Scott Fox was equal to their efforts.
Hamilton's midfield has been boosted by former Celtic and Bari man Massimo Donati, but there was an equally effective performance by a less glamorous grafter in the shape of ex-Clydebank player Darian MacKinnon.
The 30-year-old is approaching the 150-appearance mark for Accies since joining from the junior ranks in 2012 and excels against teams with Ross County's physicality.
MacKinnon defied any notion that his sole purpose is breaking up the play, though.
On several occasions the midfielder - flanked by impressive youngster Greg Docherty, Gramoz Kurtaj - was a crucial cog in starting or continuing counter attacks.
Each of County's main strikers - Liam Boyce, Craig Curran and Alex Schalk - had scored already this term and manager Jim McIntyre said pre-match that he expected that to continue in South Lanarkshire if the supply was right.
When Davies' header from Martin Woods' corner hit the crossbar after just two minutes, it looked like finding the back of the net would not be a problem.
But the supply line to the strikers appeared to be blocked as County struggled to create chances from that point forward.
Gardyne's header was well saved by Hamilton keeper Matthews in what was the Dingwall men's other clear-cut opportunity.
Accies player-manager Martin Canning: "Today was justification for the players in that if you continue to put that work in and be brave, then you'll win games.
"Greg Docherty and Darian MacKinnon in the middle of the park were excellent - they go through some amount of work. They covered every blade of astro-turf. Massimo Donati was excellent dropping in and helping the two centre-backs as well.
"Every week Dougie Imrie works his socks off and it's nice to see guys like him getting the reward. Guys like him are priceless."
Ross County manager Jim McIntyre: "Our quality just wasn't as good as it normally is on the ball. We didn't handle the surface particularly well.
"It was one of those days when you're scratching your head at times with some poor decision-making from us.
"You always want to go into the international break off the back of a positive result and unfortunately we're going in with a defeat. But we'll use the break to re-group."
Match ends, Hamilton Academical 1, Ross County 0.
Second Half ends, Hamilton Academical 1, Ross County 0.
Corner,  Ross County. Conceded by Massimo Donati.
Attempt missed. Dougie Imrie (Hamilton Academical) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high.
Foul by Eamonn Brophy (Hamilton Academical).
Erik Cikos (Ross County) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution, Hamilton Academical. Danny Seaborne replaces Greg Docherty.
Attempt missed. Dougie Imrie (Hamilton Academical) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the right.
Attempt saved. Eamonn Brophy (Hamilton Academical) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Paul Quinn (Ross County) is shown the yellow card.
Foul by Darren Lyon (Hamilton Academical).
Tony Dingwall (Ross County) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Corner,  Hamilton Academical. Conceded by Jay McEveley.
Attempt missed. Eamonn Brophy (Hamilton Academical) right footed shot from the right side of the box is just a bit too high.
Foul by Georgios Sarris (Hamilton Academical).
Alex Schalk (Ross County) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Eamonn Brophy (Hamilton Academical) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Alex Schalk (Ross County).
Foul by Andrew Davies (Ross County).
Eamonn Brophy (Hamilton Academical) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match Liam Boyce (Ross County) because of an injury.
Massimo Donati (Hamilton Academical) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Liam Boyce (Ross County).
Goal!  Hamilton Academical 1, Ross County 0. Dougie Imrie (Hamilton Academical) left footed shot from very close range to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Darian MacKinnon.
Attempt saved. Michael Gardyne (Ross County) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Corner,  Hamilton Academical. Conceded by Scott Fox.
Attempt saved. Eamonn Brophy (Hamilton Academical) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
Greg Docherty (Hamilton Academical) is shown the yellow card.
Tony Dingwall (Ross County) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Darren Lyon (Hamilton Academical).
Substitution, Hamilton Academical. Eamonn Brophy replaces Alejandro D'Acol.
Attempt missed. Daniel Redmond (Hamilton Academical) right footed shot from the right side of the box is high and wide to the right.
Substitution, Ross County. Tony Dingwall replaces Jonathan Franks.
Foul by Erik Cikos (Ross County).
Daniel Redmond (Hamilton Academical) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Michael Gardyne (Ross County) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Darren Lyon (Hamilton Academical).
Corner,  Ross County. Conceded by Grant Gillespie.
Grant Gillespie (Hamilton Academical) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Dougie Imrie's second-half goal gave Hamilton Academical their first Scottish Premiership win of the season against Ross County.