The Amish, known for their simple lifestyle and rejection of modern technology, have established numerous communities across the United States. While their presence is often associated with rural Pennsylvania, the largest Amish settlements are actually spread across several states. Let’s explore the most significant Amish communities in America, their unique characteristics, and what makes them fascinating.
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, is home to the largest and oldest Amish settlement in the United States[1][2]. Founded around 1760, this community has grown to an estimated population of 43,640 Amish residents spread across 257 church districts[1].
Key Towns and Points of Interest
The Lancaster County Amish settlement extends beyond its namesake county, reaching into Chester and Berks counties in Pennsylvania, and even Cecil County in Maryland[1]. Some of the most notable towns in this area include:
- Intercourse
- Bird-in-Hand
- Strasburg
- Quarryville
- Leola
- Gordonville
- Gap
These towns are not only home to Amish families but have also become popular tourist destinations, offering a glimpse into the Amish way of life.
Unique Features
The Lancaster County Amish community is known for several distinctive characteristics:
- Stoltzfus Surname: One of the most common Amish names in this area is “Stoltzfus,” with an alternative spelling “Stoltzfoos” also found[1].
- Old Order Mennonites: The county is also home to a large Old Order Mennonite community, adding to its cultural diversity[1].
- Tourism: This settlement is arguably the most well-known and tourist-friendly Amish community in America[2].
- Renewable Energy: Like many Amish communities, they rely on renewable energy sources, with windmills being a common sight[2].
Holmes County, Ohio
The second-largest Amish settlement is found in Holmes County, Ohio, and surrounding areas[1][2]. Founded in 1808, this community has grown to an estimated population of 40,435 spread across 323 church districts[1].
Key Towns and Points of Interest
The Holmes County settlement extends into several neighboring counties, including:
- Wayne County
- Coshocton County
- Tuscarawas County
- Stark County
Notable towns in this area include:
- Berlin
- Walnut Creek
- Mt. Hope
- Charm
- Mt. Eaton
- New Bedford
- Sugarcreek
Unique Features
The Holmes County Amish community is known for its diversity and unique characteristics:
- Swiss Amish: This is the largest “Swiss Amish” community in North America[1].
- Topless Buggies: Traditionally, the Amish here have used buggies without tops, though some churches have recently begun permitting them[1].
- Distinctive Surnames: You’ll notice different last names here which are uncommon in non-Swiss communities, including Schwartz, Eicher, and Hilty[1].
- Diverse Affiliations: This community is the most diverse in the nation, merging four main religious affiliations and at least eleven Amish subgroups[2].
Elkhart-LaGrange Counties, Indiana
The third-largest Amish settlement is located in Elkhart and LaGrange Counties, Indiana[1][2]. Founded around 1841, this community has an estimated population of 26,380 Amish residents across approximately 192 church districts[1][2].
Key Towns and Points of Interest
This settlement spans across three main counties:
- Elkhart County
- LaGrange County
- Noble County
Notable towns in this area include:
- Shipshewana
- Topeka
- Middlebury
- Millersburg
- LaGrange
Unique Features
- Geographic Location: This community is situated in northeastern Indiana, pushing up against the southern Michigan border and within proximity to the southern tip of Lake Michigan[2].
- Merging Settlements: Due to growth, this settlement is geographically merging with the nearby Nappanee settlement[4].
Geauga County, Ohio
The fourth-largest Amish settlement is found in Geauga County, Ohio, and surrounding areas[1][2]. This community has an estimated population of 18,820 Amish residents[2].
Key Counties and Towns
The Geauga County settlement extends into several neighboring counties:
- Trumbull County
- Ashtabula County
- Portage County
While specific town information for this settlement is limited in our search results, it’s worth noting that the Amish population here contributes significantly to Ohio’s status as the most populous state for Amish communities[3].
Adams County, Indiana
The fifth-largest Amish settlement is located in Adams County, Indiana, and surrounding areas[1]. This community has an estimated population of 10,305 Amish residents[1].
Key Counties
The Adams County settlement extends into several neighboring counties:
- Jay County
- Wells County
- Mercer County (Ohio)
Nappanee, Indiana
The sixth-largest Amish settlement is centered around Nappanee, Indiana[1]. Founded around 1841, this community has an estimated population of 6,835 Amish residents across 53 church districts[1].
Key Counties and Towns
The Nappanee settlement spans across four counties:
- Elkhart County
- Kosciusko County
- Marshall County
- St. Joseph County
Notable towns in this area include:
- Nappanee
- Bremen
- Wakarusa
Big Valley, Pennsylvania
The ninth-largest Amish settlement is located in Big Valley, Pennsylvania[1]. Founded in 1791, this community has an estimated population of 5,420 Amish residents across 35 church districts[1].
Key Counties and Towns
The Big Valley settlement spans two counties:
- Mifflin County
- Huntingdon County
Notable towns in this area include:
- Belleville
- Allensville
- Reedsville
Unique Features
- Diverse Amish Groups: This community is famous for its three distinct Amish groups, easily identified by their black, white, and bright yellow buggies[1].
- Kishacoquillas Valley: The official name of the 30-mile long valley where the settlement is found is Kishacoquillas Valley, named after a friendly Shawnee Indian chief[1].
- Nickname: The area is also known as “Kish Valley”[1].
Other Notable Amish Communities
While not in the top 10 largest settlements, several other Amish communities are worth mentioning:
Arthur, Illinois
Located primarily in Douglas and Moultrie counties, with some extension into Coles County, the Arthur Amish settlement had an estimated population of 4,095 as of 2020[2].
Harmony, Minnesota
While not among the largest settlements, the Harmony area is home to Minnesota’s largest Amish community. Over 100 Old Order Amish families live in the countryside near Harmony, known as the “Harmony-Canton Amish”[5].
Amish Population Trends
The Amish population in the United States is growing rapidly, increasing by about 3-4% per year[4]. This growth is attributed to large family sizes (averaging seven children) and a high church-member retention rate of approximately 80%[4].
As of 2024, there were Amish communities in 32 U.S. states, although about two-thirds of the Amish population is concentrated in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana[4].
Conclusion
The largest Amish communities in the United States offer a fascinating glimpse into a lifestyle that eschews many modern conveniences in favor of traditional values and practices. From the tourist-friendly settlements of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to the diverse Amish groups of Holmes County, Ohio, each community has its unique characteristics and points of interest.
These settlements not only preserve a distinct way of life but also contribute significantly to the cultural tapestry of rural America. As the Amish population continues to grow and expand into new areas, these communities will likely play an increasingly important role in shaping the landscape of rural America in the years to come.
Whether you’re interested in experiencing Amish culture firsthand or simply curious about these unique communities, exploring the largest Amish settlements offers a window into a world where tradition and simplicity still hold sway, even in our fast-paced modern era.
Citations:
[1] https://amishamerica.com/10-biggest-amish-communities-2019/
[2] https://www.worldatlas.com/cities/largest-amish-communities-in-the-united-states.html
[3] https://www.transportation.ohio.gov/wps/wcm/connect/gov/b3b86275-f673-4a2b-b4ae-69a58f82c194/AmishPopulationTrends.pdf?CACHEID=ROOTWORKSPACE.Z18_K9I401S01H7F40QBNJU3SO1F56-b3b86275-f673-4a2b-b4ae-69a58f82c194-nAkqhqh&CONVERT_TO=url&MOD=AJPERES
[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_by_Amish_population
[5] https://www.exploreharmony.com/play/amish-communities/
[6] https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/amish-population
[7] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPG8kCNYoKs
[8] https://www.amishbaskets.com/blogs/blog/amish-communities-in-the-united-states