Amish Population in US 2025 | Statistics & Facts

Amish People in the US 2025

The Amish population in the United States continues to experience remarkable expansion, representing one of the fastest-growing demographic groups across North America. This traditional Christian community, known for their plain dress, horse-and-buggy transportation, and separation from modern conveniences, has reached unprecedented numbers in 2025. The growth trajectory reflects a unique combination of cultural values, family structures, and religious commitment that sets this community apart from mainstream American society.

Understanding the Amish population statistics for 2025 provides valuable insights into demographic trends that defy typical patterns seen in developed nations. While most Western populations experience declining birth rates and aging demographics, the Amish community demonstrates vigorous population expansion driven by large family sizes and exceptional retention rates among younger generations. Their presence spans 32 states across the nation, with concentrated settlements in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana forming the heartland of Amish culture and tradition.

Interesting Stats & Facts about Amish Population in the US 2025

Data Source: Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies, Elizabethtown College (June 2025)

The Amish population in 2025 demonstrates extraordinary demographic vitality that distinguishes this community from virtually all other religious and cultural groups in North America. The total population of 410,955 individuals represents a significant milestone, having crossed the 400,000 threshold in 2024 and continuing to surge forward. This growth occurs almost entirely through natural increase rather than conversion, as very few outsiders join the Amish faith. The retention rate of 85% or more among youth choosing baptism ensures generational continuity, while families averaging five or more children provide the foundation for sustained expansion.

The geographic distribution reveals fascinating patterns of settlement and migration. While Pennsylvania remains home to 95,400 Amish people, followed closely by Ohio with 86,300 and Indiana with 67,300, newer settlements in states like Montana, Colorado, and New York demonstrate the community’s ongoing search for affordable farmland and rural isolation. The establishment of nine new settlements in the past year alone, with no settlements dissolving, underscores the vitality and adaptability of Amish communities. Each settlement typically begins small, with just a handful of families forming a single church district of 20 to 40 households, then gradually expanding as family sizes grow and new members arrive from other communities.

Amish Population Growth Trends in the US 2025

Data Source: Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies, Elizabethtown College (June 2025)

The Amish population growth from 2000 to 2025 reveals one of the most consistent demographic expansions recorded among any North American religious community. The population has more than doubled over this 25-year period, growing by an estimated 233,045 people, representing a remarkable 131% increase. This growth trajectory demonstrates the power of high fertility rates combined with exceptional cultural retention. The number of church districts expanded from 1,335 in 2000 to 3,114 in 2025, an increase of 1,779 districts, reflecting not just population growth but also the establishment of new communities and the division of existing congregations as they reach capacity.

Between 2024 and 2025 alone, the Amish population increased by approximately 10,045 people, maintaining the community’s consistent annual growth rate of about 2.5%. This growth rate far exceeds the U.S. national population growth rate of approximately 0.5%, making the Amish one of the fastest-growing demographic segments in the country. The establishment of nine new settlements during the past year, combined with zero settlement dissolutions, demonstrates the continued vitality and expansion of Amish communities into new geographic areas. These new settlements were established in six states that previously had no Amish presence since 2000: Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming, plus two Canadian provinces.

Top 10 States by Amish Population in the US 2025

Data Source: Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies, Elizabethtown College (June 2025)

The geographic concentration of Amish settlements across the United States in 2025 reveals distinct patterns of historical establishment and modern expansion. Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana collectively account for 61% of the total North American Amish population, representing approximately 249,000 people. Pennsylvania’s dominance stems from the original Lancaster County settlement established in 1760, making it the oldest continuously inhabited Amish community in North America. The state’s 95,400 Amish residents live across 79 settlements organized into 673 church districts, with Lancaster County alone hosting 44,765 people in 267 districts.

Ohio claims the second position with 86,300 Amish residents, but leads in the number of settlements with 95 communities spread across the state. The Holmes County settlement, established in 1808, contains 39,040 people in 322 districts, making it the second-largest concentration of Amish anywhere. The Geauga County settlement, dating to 1886, adds another 21,530 residents in 163 districts. Indiana’s 67,300 Amish population centers on the Elkhart-LaGrange settlement established in 1841, now home to 29,905 people across 237 districts. The Adams County settlement, founded in 1840, contributes another 11,055 residents in 72 districts.

Amish Church Districts and Settlements in the US 2025

Data Source: Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies, Elizabethtown College (June 2025)

The organizational structure of Amish communities in 2025 revolves around church districts, which serve as the fundamental social and religious unit. Each district typically encompasses 20 to 40 households living within horse-and-buggy traveling distance of one another, as Amish worship services rotate among members’ homes rather than being held in dedicated church buildings. The total of 3,114 church districts represents an increase of 76 districts from 2024, demonstrating both population growth within existing communities and the formation of new settlements. When a district grows too large for effective home-based worship, it divides to create two smaller districts, ensuring intimate fellowship and manageable gathering sizes.

A settlement consists of one or more districts in a geographic area, and the 684 settlements across North America exhibit considerable variation in size. Remarkably, 51% of all settlements contain only a single church district, indicating they are relatively new communities still in early growth stages. These small settlements typically begin when a few families, often seeking more affordable farmland or desiring to start fresh communities with particular religious emphasis, relocate to areas with no previous Amish presence. Over time, successful settlements expand through natural population growth and migration from other communities. The Holmes County, Ohio settlement with 322 districts represents the highest concentration, though it experienced a slight population decline of approximately 1,400 people in the past year, likely due to families migrating to establish new settlements elsewhere.

Amish Family Structure and Demographics in the US 2025

Data Source: Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies, Elizabethtown College; Academic Research on Amish Demographics

The Amish family structure in 2025 remains the cornerstone of community growth and cultural continuity. Families averaging five or more children provide the demographic foundation for sustained expansion, with some conservative groups like the Swiss Amish of Adams County, Indiana averaging as many as nine children per family. These large family sizes reflect deeply held religious beliefs about accepting children as blessings from God, combined with practical considerations of farm labor and business operations where children contribute meaningfully from an early age. The Amish rejection of artificial birth control, rooted in their interpretation of biblical teachings, ensures that family sizes remain substantially larger than the U.S. national average of approximately 1.6 children per family.

The retention rate of 85-90% represents a remarkable achievement in maintaining cultural and religious identity across generations. During the rumspringa period, Amish youth between approximately ages 16 and 22 experience relative freedom to explore the outside world before deciding whether to be baptized into the Amish church. Despite exposure to modern technology, higher education opportunities, and alternative lifestyles, the vast majority ultimately choose baptism and lifelong commitment to Amish faith and practice. This retention rate varies by affiliation, with the ultraconservative Andy Weaver Amish achieving 97% retention, while the more progressive New Order Amish see only 60% of youth choose baptism. The establishment of Amish-operated parochial schools in the 1970s significantly increased retention rates, which hovered below 60% in the 1960s, by limiting non-Amish influence during formative years.

Largest Amish Settlements in the US 2025

Data Source: Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies, Elizabethtown College (June 2025)

The largest Amish settlements in the United States in 2025 represent communities with deep historical roots and sustained growth over multiple generations. Lancaster County, Pennsylvania maintains its position as the largest single settlement with 44,765 residents organized into 267 church districts. Founded in 1760, this settlement represents the oldest continuous Amish community in North America and serves as the cultural and historical heart of the Amish experience in America. The settlement spans multiple counties including Lancaster, Berks, Chester in Pennsylvania, and extends into Cecil County, Maryland, reflecting both population pressure and the high cost of farmland in the core areas.

Holmes County, Ohio claims the distinction of having the most church districts with 322 congregations serving 39,040 people. Established in 1808, this settlement exhibits remarkable religious diversity, hosting approximately a dozen distinct Amish affiliations ranging from ultraconservative Swartzentruber groups to more progressive New Order communities. The settlement experienced a slight population decline of about 1,400 people in the past year, likely reflecting out-migration to new settlements rather than actual population loss, as families establish new communities in areas with more affordable land. The Elkhart-LaGrange settlement in Indiana, founded in 1841, rounds out the top three with 29,905 residents in 237 districts, and continues merging geographically with the neighboring Nappanee settlement as both communities expand.

Amish Population Distribution by Region in the US 2025

Data Source: Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies, Elizabethtown College (June 2025)

The regional distribution of Amish population in the United States in 2025 reflects both historical settlement patterns and contemporary migration trends. The Midwest region contains the overwhelming majority of Amish residents, with approximately 280,000 people or about 69% of the total U.S. Amish population. This concentration stems from the availability of fertile farmland in states like Ohio, Indiana, and Wisconsin, combined with the region’s historical role as a destination for 19th-century Amish immigration from Europe. The Northeast region, anchored by Pennsylvania and expanding rapidly in New York, hosts approximately 85,000 Amish residents, representing the historical core of Amish settlement in America.

The Western states demonstrate the fastest growth rates despite having smaller absolute numbers, with approximately 10,000 Amish residents spread across eight states. Montana has more than doubled its number of Amish communities since 2010, attracting families seeking affordable ranch land and cold-weather climates suitable for traditional Amish farming practices. States like Colorado, Wyoming, and South Dakota saw their first Amish settlements established in the 2000s and 2010s, with New Mexico joining the list in 2020. The Southern region contains about 20,000 Amish residents across 12 states, with Kentucky leading at 14,835 people, though the Deep South remains largely unpopulated by Amish due to climate considerations, as many conservative groups prohibit air conditioning and prefer environments where ice can be harvested from frozen lakes for refrigeration.

Reasons for Amish Population Growth in the US 2025

Data Source: Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies, Elizabethtown College; Academic Research

The factors driving Amish population growth in 2025 operate synergistically to produce one of the most remarkable demographic expansions in North America. Large family sizes serve as the primary engine, with Amish families averaging five or more children compared to the U.S. national average of 1.6 children per family. This differential alone would produce substantial growth, but the effect compounds when combined with the 85-90% retention rate among youth choosing baptism and lifelong church membership. The Amish rejection of modern contraception, rooted in their interpretation of Genesis commands to “be fruitful and multiply,” ensures that childbearing continues naturally throughout a woman’s fertile years, often extending into the early 40s.

The establishment of Amish-operated parochial schools beginning in the 1970s marked a watershed moment in retention rates, which previously hovered around 60% in the 1960s. By limiting exposure to non-Amish influences during the critical educational years from ages 6 through 14, these schools strengthened cultural transmission and religious formation. The schools, typically one or two-room buildings serving mixed grades with Amish teachers, reinforce community values daily while providing the basic academic skills Amish culture deems necessary. Combined with strong family structures where divorce is virtually non-existent and multi-generational households remain common, the Amish create an environment where choosing to leave becomes increasingly difficult as social, economic, and familial ties deepen with age.

New Amish Settlements Established in the US 2025

Data Source: Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies, Elizabethtown College (June 2025)

The establishment of new Amish settlements in 2024-2025 reflects the community’s ongoing geographic expansion and search for suitable agricultural land and rural isolation. Nine new settlements were founded during the past year, with zero settlements dissolving, indicating the overall health and sustainability of Amish communities. These new settlements typically begin with just one or two families relocating from established communities, often bringing with them specific religious orientations or seeking to establish communities with particular Ordnung (church rules) emphases. The initial settlers frequently purchase multiple adjacent farms, allowing them to help relatives and friends relocate to join them, gradually building the critical mass necessary for a sustainable community.

Virginia saw the most new settlements with three communities established in Craig, Mecklenburg, and Pittsylvania counties, reflecting the state’s growing appeal to Amish families. The state’s relatively moderate climate, affordable rural land, and agricultural opportunities make it attractive to families leaving more expensive areas like Pennsylvania and Ohio. Wisconsin and Michigan each gained two new settlements, continuing the Midwest’s tradition of attracting Amish migration. Montana’s Bridger settlement represents the continuing westward expansion of Amish communities seeking ranch land and cold-weather environments suitable for traditional agricultural practices and ice harvesting for refrigeration, a necessity in communities prohibiting modern refrigeration technology.

Amish Population Projections for the US 2025-2050

Data Source: Projections based on Young Center historical growth rates; 20-year doubling pattern

The projected Amish population growth from 2025 to 2050 suggests the community will more than double again, potentially reaching 860,000 people by mid-century if current growth patterns continue. This projection assumes the maintenance of current demographic characteristics: large family sizes averaging five or more children, retention rates of 85-90%, and minimal attrition through conversion to other faiths. The 20-year doubling pattern observed consistently since the 1980s provides a reliable baseline for these projections, though various factors could accelerate or decelerate growth rates. More conservative Amish affiliations like the Swartzentruber and Swiss Amish groups, with their larger average family sizes of seven to nine children, may grow even faster than these overall projections suggest.

The geographic implications of this growth will likely manifest in continued expansion into new states and regions, particularly the Western United States where affordable agricultural land remains available. The projected 1,080 settlements by 2050 would represent nearly a 60% increase from current numbers, requiring significant migration from established communities to populate new settlements. This dispersion may present challenges for maintaining cultural uniformity and religious orthodoxy, as isolated settlements develop distinct practices and interpretations. The economic implications also merit consideration, as traditional farming becomes increasingly difficult to sustain for all families, driving continued diversification into small businesses, craft industries, and specialized manufacturing that can operate within Amish technological restrictions.

Challenges Facing Amish Population Growth in the US 2025

Data Source: Academic research on Amish communities; Young Center studies

The challenges confronting Amish population growth and sustainability in 2025 extend beyond simple demographic calculations to encompass economic, social, and cultural dimensions. Land scarcity and affordability represent perhaps the most pressing concern, as traditional Amish culture strongly emphasizes farming as the ideal occupation for maintaining religious values and family cohesion. In core areas like Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, farmland prices have risen to levels where even established Amish families struggle to purchase sufficient acreage for their children. This pressure drives migration to states like Montana, Kentucky, and New York where agricultural land remains more affordable, though these moves often separate families and strain community bonds.

The transition from farming to small business ownership presents both opportunities and risks for Amish communities. While businesses like furniture-making, construction, harness shops, and roadside markets allow families to earn livings within Amish settlements, they also necessitate greater interaction with non-Amish customers and sometimes require compromises with technology restrictions. Business owners may need telephones, calculators, and even limited computer access for accounting and ordering supplies, creating tensions between economic necessity and religious prohibitions. The 10-15% of youth who permanently leave the Amish faith cite education restrictions, desire for modern conveniences, and attraction to careers requiring higher education as primary motivations, suggesting that economic opportunities outside the community exert constant pull on younger generations despite the high overall retention rate.

The Amish population in the United States stands poised for continued robust growth through 2050 and beyond, barring dramatic cultural shifts or external disruptions. The demographic fundamentals remain exceptionally strong: large families, high retention rates, and early marriage patterns create a self-reinforcing cycle of expansion that has persisted for generations. The addition of approximately 10,000 people annually in recent years suggests the community will cross the 500,000 threshold before 2030 and potentially reach one million members by the early 2060s. This growth will increasingly make the Amish a significant demographic force in rural America, particularly in states like Ohio and Pennsylvania where they already constitute substantial percentages of certain counties’ populations.

The geographic dispersion of Amish settlements presents both opportunities and challenges for the community’s future. The establishment of nine new settlements in 2024-2025 across diverse states from Montana to Virginia demonstrates remarkable adaptability to varying climates, economies, and regulatory environments. However, this geographic spread raises questions about cultural cohesion and religious uniformity. As settlements become more isolated from traditional centers of Amish life in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana, maintaining shared practices and beliefs becomes more difficult. The wide variation in Ordnung rules between different affiliations already creates a spectrum of Amish identity ranging from ultraconservative Swartzentruber groups rejecting indoor plumbing to progressive New Order communities permitting electricity from generators and promoting missionary work. This internal diversity may increase as geographic distance reduces the frequency of contact between settlements, potentially leading to the development of distinct regional Amish cultures with varying interpretations of traditional values.

The most significant uncertainty facing Amish population projections beyond 2025 involves the sustainability of high retention rates in an increasingly connected world. While the 85-90% retention rate has remained stable for decades, the omnipresence of smartphones, social media, and internet access presents unprecedented challenges to maintaining cultural isolation. Even though Amish youth are forbidden from using these technologies during their upbringing, exposure during rumspringa and through non-Amish friends has intensified. The next generation of Amish youth will make baptismal decisions in a world where information, entertainment, and social connections are instantly accessible in ways unimaginable even a decade ago. Whether communities can maintain current retention rates, or whether they will see gradual erosion as more youth choose to leave, represents perhaps the most critical factor determining whether Amish population growth continues at current rates or begins to slow. The community’s response to this challenge, whether through stricter enforcement of technology prohibitions or through adaptation and accommodation, will shape Amish demographics for generations to come.

Disclaimer: This research report is compiled from publicly available sources. While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, no representation or warranty, express or implied, is given as to the completeness or reliability of the information. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions, losses, or damages of any kind arising from the use of this report.

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