Population Trends 2007-2008

One-Year Highlights

Population. In the one-year period from 2007 to 2008, the Amish of North America show an overall estimated population growth of 6 percent, increasing from 218,000 in 2007 to 231,000 in 2008. (Figures include adults and children.) See Population Change 2007-2008 tables for details. If this rate of growth remains constant, the Amish population will double in only 12 years, by 2020. The rate of growth from 1992 to 2008 was 4 percent. Using that rate (4 percent) the Amish population will double in 18 years, by 2026.

States. Amish communities appear in 27 states and the Canadian province of Ontario. In 2008 an Amish settlement was established in the state of Arkansas (Washington County) when three families moved there to obtain work. Arkansas previously had a settlement from 1993 to 2001.

Settlements. Sixteen new settlements (geographical communities) were established over the past year—an increase from 394 in 2007 to 410 in 2008. New settlements are typically small with a few families in one district (congregation). Older settlements such as that in the Holmes County, Ohio, area may include over 200 districts. Larger settlements may have several different subgroups (affiliations), whereas smaller settlements typically have just one subgroup.

Districts. The number of local districts (congregations of 20 to 35 families) grew from 1,612 to 1,710, an increase of 98 (6 percent) in the past year.

Growth States. The following statewide increases were above the national average of 6 percent: Kansas (20 percent), Tennessee (18 percent), Missouri (16 percent), and New York (17 percent). Several states (Maine, Virginia, Nebraska) showed large percentage increases but the increases were based on very small initial populations. States with the largest estimated population increase were (in order) Pennsylvania, Indiana, New York, Ohio, and Missouri.

Static States. Although Wisconsin was a high growth state in recent years, in the past year its number of church districts (115) remained the same. Delaware’s one settlement also showed no growth.

Reasons for Growth. The primary forces driving the growth are sizeable nuclear families (five or more children on average) and an average retention rate (Amish children who join the church as young adults) of 85 percent or more. A few outsiders occasionally join the Amish, but the bulk of the growth is from within their own community.

Notes:

1. Population figures (which include adults and children) are estimates calculated by using a conservative average of 135 people per church district. The number of people per district varies by region, community, affiliation, and age of the district; therefore, the actual number of people in a specific district may be higher or lower than the average used in these tables. Population estimates are rounded to the nearest 1,000.

2. The data includes all Amish groups (Old Order and New Order) that use horse-and-buggy transportation, but excludes car-driving groups such as the Beachy Amish and Amish Mennonites.

3. Stephen Scott, Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies, gathered and compiled the data.

Sources: Raber’s Almanac, settlement reports provided by correspondents in various Amish publications, annual migration reports published in The Diary, regional settlement directories, and informants in various settlements.

To cite this page: “Amish Population Growth 2007-2008 Highlights.” Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies, Elizabethtown College. http://www2.etown.edu/amishstudies/Population_Trends_2007_2008.asp.