Population Growth

There are 448 Amish settlements spread across 28 states and the Canadian province of Ontario. These settlements include 1,913 church districts (congregations). Nearly two-thirds of the districts are found in three states: Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana. (See Population By State for a state-by-state listing of the Amish population.)

Observers might expect a traditional group that rejects higher education, car ownership, and the Internet to be on the wane. On the contrary, the Amish population is growing constantly. The 200 church districts in 1951 have grown to 1,913 by 2011.

Large families and strong retention rates propel the growth. On average, families have about five children, but it’s not unusual for them to have ten or more. Typically, 85 percent or more of the youth join the church. (A few members do leave after baptism; defection rates vary from community to community.) Although the Amish do not seek converts, outsiders may join if they comply with Amish guidelines. Several dozen outsiders have done so.

Additional information

Thomas J. Meyers, “The Old Order Amish: To Remain in the Faith or to Leave,” Mennonite Quarterly Review, 68, no. 3 (July 1994).

Lawrence P. Greksa and Jill E. Korbin, “Key Decisions in the Lives of the Old Order Amish: Joining the Church and Migrating to Another Settlement,” Mennonite Quarterly Review, 76, no. 4 (July 2002).


Amish Studies home Frequently Asked Questions Experts Religion Amish Origins Anabaptists Beliefs Church Discipline Funerals Mennonites Other Plain Groups Religious Rituals Religious Services Social Organization Communal Values Diversity Education Family Government Language Leadership Media Occupations Organization Population Growth Cultural Practices Deviance Health Leisure Mutual Aid Regulations Rumspringa Technology Statistics Population by State Largest Settlements Population Trends 2009-2011 Population Trends 1991-2010 Migration Trends Resources Books and Articles Films and Videos Information Centers Amish Publications Other Websites 2013 Amish Conference Remembering Steve Scott About This Site	Population Growth There are 448 Amish settlements spread across 28 states and the Canadian province of Ontario. These settlements include 1,913 church districts (congregations). Nearly two-thirds of the districts are found in three states: Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana. (See Population By State for a state-by-state listing of the Amish population.) Observers might expect a traditional group that rejects higher education, car ownership, and the Internet to be on the wane. On the contrary, the Amish population is growing constantly. The 200 church districts in 1951 have grown to 1,913 by 2011. Large families and strong retention rates propel the growth. On average, families have about five children, but it’s not unusual for them to have ten or more. Typically, 85 percent or more of the youth join the church. (A few members do leave after baptism; defection rates vary from community to community.) Although the Amish do not seek converts, outsiders may join if they comply with Amish guidelines. Several dozen outsiders have done so. Additional information Thomas J. Meyers, “The Old Order Amish: To Remain in the Faith or to Leave,” Mennonite Quarterly Review, 68, no. 3 (July 1994). Lawrence P. Greksa and Jill E. Korbin, “Key Decisions in the Lives of the Old Order Amish: Joining the Church and Migrating to Another Settlement,” Mennonite Quarterly Review, 76, no. 4 (July 2002). Save This Page
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Population Growth

Additional information

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