The 10 Largest Amish Communities
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- Опубліковано 7 лип 2024
- Where do the Amish live? Which are the ten biggest Amish communities? I take you from #10 to #1 and share interesting facts on each. I've visited all of these Amish settlements, and most of them multiple times.
I'm not Amish - but I first met the Amish in 2004.
Since then I've visited over 5,000 Amish homes (not an exaggeration:). More on that journey in another video.
Notes:
[1] If you're watching this years in the future, no worries. The list order is unlikely to have changed much - if at all.
I first did this list in the form of a blog post in 2009. It's nearly identical to the list in this video.
Amish communities grow fast. The population numbers will continue going up. But the order should remain more or less the same.
[2] Some settlements are commonly referred to by the county name (eg, the "Holmes County Amish"). Others are known by a nearby town in the area where they live.
[3] Some settlements are in multiple counties - even though the main county serves as the community's name.
For instance, I mention one example in the video (the Holmes County settlement) also including parts of several other counties.
Some of the other communities on this list (e.g., #5, #4, #1) also spread into multiple counties, even though just one or two counties are named.
[4] The Old Order Amish world is diverse. For example, there are more progressive Amish that use higher levels of technology. And there are those that are more restrictive.
For instance, some Amish permit gasoline engine lawnmowers, while others only use push mowers.
Most Amish light their buggies with battery-powered safety lights. But a smaller group uses only dim kerosene lanterns. And so on.
So when you are talking about "the Amish" in general - or even the Amish in a specific community - there are often exceptions.
I note some of those exceptions in this video at appropriate moments. But the topic itself deserves its own video(s).
[5] These population numbers are the latest from the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown College (Elizabethtown, PA). groups.etown.edu/amishstudies/
[6] Image credits - thank you to David Arment, Jim Halverson, Ed C., and S.I.
[7] Read more: amishamerica.com/amish-popula...
Once, while driving in Lancaster County farm country, my wife and I stopped to buy ears of corn from a small stand along the road directly in front of an Amish farm. The stand was unattended at the time , but very soon after, three of the most beautiful children you ever saw converged on the stand to wait on us. They were happy, eager to please and very pleasant, it was just an enjoyable experience, you almost wanted to purchase every ear of corn they had for sale. Wonderful people.
“The Amish had it right all along.” -Cara (sitting here in 2022, I would have to agree.)
I am impressed. You pronounce Lancaster correctly!
Middlefield Ohio, Geauga County, 4th Largest Amish Community in the country. Orwell Ohio is 20 miles east and the area in between Middlefield and Orwell is all Amish. Great place to live, especially when you get to know your neighbors.
I live in the midst of a community in PA. Daily life is much more calm.
I grew up in Middlefield.
Orwell Ohio just east of Middlefield Ohio. 4th largest settlement in the country and growing strong. My neighbors. Love all of them.
I am a Lancaster County PA native and have to say that our Amish and Mennonite neighbors are wonderful!
It would be good to have all kids spend a summer with Amish and Mennonite communities and learn more about WORK!
I spent a few months working in Morgantown Pa just up the road and was fascinated seeing Amish young people in buggies smoking and hanging dice in the rear view mirror. The locals called it sewing one's oats I believe. Also noticed parking lots at some Sunday church services full of buggies and others black vans. They seemed to have the best grocery stores there as well.
000+
Then you got the “good” ones. In northwest Ohio and Northeast Indiana we got the bad ones . They are poor at working and are money driven while trying to live their “Mafia” like culture.
Don’t be fooled it’s a CULT!!!!
@@brookbandeen4999 oh! I guess the United States is trying to do that now! Call him a DON OR DICTATOR !
I live just outside of Douglas County Illinois! We are very blessed to be so close to Arthur/Arcola! So cool to see them mentioned!
I live 1 1/2 hours from Arthur and used to go to auctions up there all the time with my mom when I was younger
I live just a few minutes away from Arthur. Buggies go by my house.
I can tell you lots of stories of the Adams County Indiana group. I have heard teens booming to Sir Mix A Lot at our local state park. They will come by our house on their way to the park jamming to all kinds of music. The teens will decorate their buggies for the summer holidays. We live in Wells County just next to Adams county. We used to live in Wayne County OH and visited Holmes County a lot to ride the bicycle trails.
The countryside in Holmes county is so pretty. Just love going there and driving around to explore all the little communities - Berlin, Charm, Walnut Creek, Winesburg, Mt. Hope. Love it.
I'm a transplanted Ohio girl. I live in Indiana now. I have visited the Amish in Holmes County and all over the northern part of Indiana.
I live in Medina county Ohio, and we have the Amish south west of the county. Always nice riding my bike through there.
Wow, didn’t see that coming, thought for sure it was PA.
Me, too.
Me too
In the last 20 years the Amish are moving into Western NY, able to buy up farms that are mostly abandoned.
It's been a very attractive state for the Amish over that time.
True, I lived at Upstate NY. We have seen lots of Amish near where I lived.
I grew up on a farm in Lawrence Co. Pennsylvania. There is an Amish settlement there, as well. During WWII we had a 19 year old Amish man live with us so he could use our "points" to avoid the draft. Jonathan J. Byler was his name. We maintained our connection and friendship with "Yone" for many years. I could tell several Amish stories from that friendship. He later owned a farm In Volant, Pa jut a few miles from New Wilmington, the hub of Amish life in Lawrence, Co.
just moved to Daviess county Indiana and trying to learn more about my new neighbors. I definitely admire the self sufficiency mindset I have seen.
I bet you'll like that community Randy and I won't be surprised if you get to know some of your Amish neighbors well. By the way, one of our website readers in particular really likes the Dinky's auction house events - that would probably be a nice place to visit to meet some people (many Amish show up there), as well as the Amish businesses of course. Maybe you know about that already but just thought I'd mention it.
Learn all you can.
I used to have a amish landlord in Lancaster PA the whole area is full of Amish they where all very nice
I live in Cadillac, Michigan and we, in recent years, have acquired a large Amish presence. Most of them are Yoder’s. I need to talk to one and find out where they originated. I might think it’s safe to assume from Indiana or Ohio (then lower Michigan). I rarely see an Amish buggy in town as they seem to prefer hiring someone to drive them any long distance. I worked as a graphic designer for a printing company and had the pleasure on work with a few of them. Always very friendly. I’ve designed a lot of pickle labels, furniture store and buggy building company brochures. Their weddings must last all day, because they print elaborate songbooks with lists of all the helpers. I would LOVE to be invited to one. The food must be wonderful!
Neat. Sounds like a great community. One idea is you might ask one of your Amish friends about weddings in general. If they see you have an interest, they might just invite you to one at some point. English people do get invited to them
We live in Allen County! When I go to our nearest Walmart there are always lots of Amish there. One time I saw someone plowing with a team of horses as we drove by.
I lived in Indiana for 14 years and I had no idea there were so many Amish communities there. I went to Lancaster once, I loved it and the Amish were very nice
Thank you for pronouncing Lancaster correctly!!!
Gladly!
I traveled many times through Millersburg to visit my grandparents in Adamsville as a child. My grandfather traded with the Amish for horses and tack, he was born in 1886 and still liked to use draft horses.
I always had a high opinion of them - good people and hard working
This must be heaven on earth where simplicity and serenity are still found.I wish I were a part of this community.
If you want a more realistic look at Amish life you should read "Bonnet Strings: An Amish Woman's Ties to Two Worlds by Saloma Miller Furlong" Many Amish at trapped into a life that they are not happy with but the pressure from the group to either stay Amish or be cut off from family and friends is too great for them to overcome.
I live in Ohio, Adams &Allen County Indiana are our neighbors.
Geneva and Berne Indiana have large Amish Population.
They cross over into Ohio quite frequently for Doctors, Building etc.
I live in Madison County Indiana...part of my family lived in Berne
We were in Lancaster last week, and that's one thing I learned - the pronunciation of Lancaster.
Interesting, greetings from England 🏴
I love just outside or Allen county Indiana. They are so peaceful out there. And very fun to work for. And one I met had the best sense of humor and just so full of light. I miss it that way even though it’s only like 30 minutes away lol
Here in Tennessee we have a bunch in Englewood they are very friendly
Holmes County Ohio is going to be the first Amish majority county in the United States of many more to come!
This is very fascinating to me !!! Thank you!
Ive been working in Intercourse for the past five years designing, building and operating their first public water supply. The groundwater got contaminated several years ago. Love the Amish and other plain folk. I will miss them.
Intercourse... just a hoot from Blue Ball and a holler from Paradise.
I grew up in Geauga County near Middlefield. Shopped in a lot of the same stores.
I grew up in Ashtabula county I seen Amish people all the time
Lancaster was originally an old celtic Welsh settlement in Britain called Caerhirfryn
Thanks for posting. My family and I lived for nearly 20 years near the Arthur, IL “Old Order” Amish Community. Very interesting culture with some surprising habits. Great people!
I agree! That will always be a special part of the country to me.
I was born in Decatur Illinois and my sister now lives in Sullivan Illinois which very close to Arthur.
my best friend from NW Indiana moved there with her family (Stone) after her parents divorced. I visited Arthur several times when she lived there. Went to a sleepover at a Mennonite school friend of hers.
Wonderful video. So glad you are doing UA-cam now - thanks.
Really appreciate hearing that Pete. For me right now
the videos are a *lot* more work than a blog post. But I'm enjoying the learning curve and aiming to get better at them. This one was fun to do.
Lancaster county Pennsylvania I'm very familiar with. Very nice people. I envy the way they live.😇
Beautiful way of life.
I totally agree; tryiing to live sustainable as well and not rely on the grid.
Thank you for sharing this. I find the Amish lifestyle fascinating and, thanks to you, it’s no longer difficult to research.
I am from the UK, they work so hard .I know most of their life is religious. I quite envy the simple way they live
I’m from Geauga county Ohio and I think number 4 is right in the place.
Excellent. Thank you.
I'm glad you had an autumn picture when you mentioned the hilly Holmes county. There is some great driving and motorcycle riding in that area but it's just exquisite on the fall.
Absolutely!
Fascinating, Thankyou once again. 🇬🇧🙂
I’ve visited the Lancaster area a few times in 08-11. I met some Pretty nice folks and had some of their customs explain by them.
I live next door to Arthur, Il. I was surprised to see them on the top 10 list, I didn't think it was so big. Funny thing is my daughter lives in Sarasota Florida and lots of the Arthur Amish are there in the winter.
Live in Berks county PA, right next door and love it.
My husband grew up in Adams County and his parents still live there. At their house you frequently hear the open buggies clip-clopping by on the road. In bad weather everyone in the buggy uses a large umbrella.
Many of his parents' neighbors are Amish, and the people across the street use a freezer in his parents' barn. :) There are several local Amish furniture manufacturers there, too.
Adams County has very Amish friendly laws, and a neighboring county does not. My husband always says that Adams County seems much more warm and colorful thanks to the Amish and Mennonite culture there.
I'm from jay county south of there
I was saying Indiana before you started the list. I grew up in Elkhart, Osceola, and Mishawaka IN. I am glad they use a lot of blinkers and lights on the buggies for safety. Unfortunately not all drivers are considerate of the Amish on the road.
Nicely done - you know your state and Amish :) And I agree, (preventable) accidents happen much too often.
yes. my guess was PA, OH or IN
Wayne County, IN Amish community has boomed in the past 4 year’s. They have bought up so much land around here and I think we now have a total of over 3,500 in the county. Lot came from Pennsylvania
Right - that was founded by Amish from Lancaster County in the 90s...funny enough there is another Lancaster-founded settlement from around the same time right on the opposite side of the state - in Parke County. I've visited that one, but not Wayne County yet. We did have a guest post on the website some years back about one of the Amish stores there (Fountain Acre Foods) - maybe you know the place? amishamerica.com/amish-wayne-county-indiana/
@@AmishAmerica Amish Acres is a great place. We love their cheese and they have a great deli counter where you can get yummy sandwiches. (I'm also in Wayne, Co. Indiana)
Very informative.
So I don't believe I ever have. I don't recall it an the Amish funeral or wake I attended, but I may have missed it there (Ohio). It's one on the list that I should have tried by now, but preferably not at anyone's funeral. How do you like it? amishamerica.com/what-is-amish-funeral-pie/
My paternal grandmother was born Amish in PA. When she was still little they moved to Ontario, Canada. She left and married my grandfather however she spoke Pennsylvania Dutch around the house.
Their way of life looks great right now. I wish I lived in their community.
I agree!
I think I would like living a 'plain' life - not sure I could do without indoor plumbing and electricity, though!
Very fascinating video. I am 60 minutes from Lancaster and love visiting there. So beautiful
Thanks Susan! Great area to be near
I grew up around the amish community around seymour mo. I used to go over and hang out with the other kids. Definitely a very different way of life
That must have been an interesting experience Dan. Seymour is a pretty plain community
I have been to Arthur, IL and Napannee and Shipshewana in Indiana.
Elkhart Indiana is the RV capital of the world. It's definitely they're biggest industry up there.
Menonites too in Lancaster PENNSYLVANIA.
We have a bunch in Ontario in the St Jacob's area. Most are named Martin
The Amish in Michigan also produce Maple Syrup as well as farming and raising dairy cattle!
Holmes wayne and Medina counties Ohio, use to be heavy Amish. Now they live in Idaho Maryland Delaware. They have spread out from Lancaster and the Ohio communities over the years.
In and around the rural areas of Kalona, Iowa. Old Order. They have been there for a long time. Work hard from sunrise to sunset and their churches are full on Sundays.
Those are mostly Mennonites. Very progressive compared to the Amish. I knew one Mennonite lady who worked in X-ray dept at a hospital. Farther South in Iowa and stretching West you'll find the Amish.
Thought they had church service in their homes ?
@@bluyt4947 Amish community West of me does church in homes on a rotating basis.. They take turns. There is a Mennonite high school, IMS, in Kalona that has 86 students. They once had around 150.
Michigan has a lot of Amish in the west north of Cadillac Michigan in the farming communities!
Ive passed by Lancaster before .It was beautiful..Never had a chance to meet anybody there...Maybe after the pandemic I'll visit again...
It's a unique place. It also happens to be the oldest Amish community and that area in general has a lot of "history", which I enjoy. The little town of Strasburg, full of historic stone homes, is beautiful, for example. Not Amish really (though I think one or two families live on the edge of town), but worth a visit.
@@AmishAmerica wow..Didn't know that..
I feel so fortunate...as a Filipino,Only a few get a chance to see such a beautiful place...
my parents and i went to adams county actually and since my mom and I new german (i wasn't as proficient), we had some interesting conversations about the german dialects differing from each other.
Interesting video. Can you do one about what the Amish core beliefs are? Why do some use technology and others do not? How far does that use/non use go? Why do they want their own society, etc... How do they feel or interact with outsiders (variable i assume).
Glad you thought so, and I actually already did a couple videos that I think cover at least two of your questions - this one is called "Do Amish think technology is evil?" ua-cam.com/video/PS28bgLA-t0/v-deo.html
And this one is "Can you be friends with the Amish?" on relations with non-Amish people: ua-cam.com/video/D9NHnxWFhRQ/v-deo.html
I hope those cover the topics well enough but if you have any follow-ups, just let know and I'll do my best to respond.
The Kutztown area in Berks county PA, lots of Amish/Mennonites. Hex signs everywhere.
I’m surprised Iowa didn’t make your list - Kalona and several other communities near Iowa City. Great people, enjoy their auctions.
This video is on the 10 largest communities, not states as a whole. Iowa doesn't have any of the 10 largest individual communities. But as a state, it has the #9 largest total population. I also did a video on all 31 Amish states: ua-cam.com/video/54HuKEzkQX0/v-deo.html I like the Kalona settlement, it was one of the first I ever visited
@@AmishAmerica And they are spreading out. 60 years ago you saw very few buggies, even around Kalona. Now they are very common, even 40 miles away. Each couple having 10 kids really builds the population.
Have you ever been to Yoder Kansas? It’s much smaller then the communities you covered, only about 200. There is a big section of central Kansas populated with Mennonites who first settled in Volga Russia before coming to the United States. Of course, the Amish are just a small percentage of that larger group.
Kansans know Yoder by the Carriage Crossing Restaurant where you can get amazing home style meals and amazing pies and cinnamon rolls. Another take home item is Yoder butter. I don’t know if it’s still hand churned but it seems to be better than supermarket brands.
I haven't Doug - that's an interesting one to me though, and also the Garnett community. Very old community too for its size. Carriage Crossing sounds great. Hard to turn down good cinnamon rolls.
I raised my kids in Orwell Ohio and it was really great
Interesting video, I would have guessed PA for the question.
Thanks, and definitely a reasonable guess, given the Amish association with that state.
@@AmishAmerica I grew up shopping at Amish farms, had Amish neighbors in Central PA, and am surprised too that Indiana has more of them. The thing about PA is that between Mifflin County and Lancaster County are incredible Amish farms dotted throughout those ridges and valleys. One particular egg farm near Millheim in Centre County is hiding a cave below that was once open to the public and when people sneak down into that cave, they can hear the people talking in the house above. And don't let the lifestyle fool you, they have drunks, losers and shysters too!
I thought that too, there are a lot of Amish here in Jefferson county PA!
I live near Arthur. I love the area.
My cousin lives in Osseo, MI, the Amish there have known to come ask for a ride to town. I MI has a few Amish communities. TFS
Haha. You know more about Amish than I do. Great vids!
Thanks a bunch! Your channel looks really cool - I need to dig into a few more vids but I can see people are loving it, great job :) You've got what I don't have - perspective as someone originally from the Amish, which is great.
@@AmishAmerica yes but I also find your perspective very interesting. And very accurate which is almost non existent from someone who wasn’t raised Amish.
Thank you I do appreciate that!
Lancaster, Ohio here. We also say Lancaster how they do in Lancaster County and can tell those that aren't from here because they say it the 2nd way instead.
🇯🇲 love this want to know more.
Great video on the Amish people. I am very familiar with the Amish in Illinois--Chester, Arthur, and Arcola. They used to have a type of Amish folk center and family fun park called Rockhome Gardens. It's heyday was in the 70s to maybe the early 2,000s. Someone may correct me.
Plus I also know of smaller Amish settlements in southeastern Oklahoma. One of my uncle's befriended them - shared their faith in Christ, they were so gracious when he died, they brought food to his home and attended his funeral in Coalgate, Oklahoma.
Glad you liked it! Looks like Rockome closed in 2015. I drove past it a number of times but never stopped in, kind of wish I had now. amishamerica.com/rockome-gardens-arthur-amish/ Sounds like your uncle made some great friends there in OK
@@AmishAmerica Rockhome was the homestead ...believe the name was Yeager or Yoder. He kept building structures out of rocks and concrete, very creative. They had homemade crafts, but animal rides for kids, and great organic food. Went there several times with relatives from the Effingham, Illinois area.
Have you ever been to Dinky's near Daviess County? It's an Amish run auction house. I love going there and I've had great experiences with the Amish there.
Drove by it regularly when I spent 3 weeks in the area way back when but never stopped in. It seemed to be hopping on Fridays and a lot of my Amish customers would go there. I'll be sure to stop if I have the chance on a return trip
@@AmishAmerica i highly recommend it! You never know what you will find at Dinkys!
I live about 10 min from dinkys I love it😂 my grandma actually has a stand there
The Big Valley is so wonderful. That's where my son's pediatrician was in 1983. We lived nearby in Burnham. Love that area. Peay & Yoder are the most popular names. The farms look like hovels wit brown paper on the windows and no landscaping done
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, And Illinois have some of the biggest Amish areas.
Im from Kansas City and I visit my friends in the Finger Lakes NY often. I love to buy the spices in the bulk store and to the Windmill. I love watching the kids play volleyball. I would love to know more about the New York Amish around Penn Yann. Your videos are great! I would a video about this community from you. So I can be educated on my next visit. Are there Amish in Kansas? Thank you for all you do!
There is here on the Missouri side.
there are amish in yoder,ks...southeast of hutchinson on k-96
Interesting. We have a number of Amish in the Ozarks- usually drive tractors, but buggies on Sunday. We have an even larger Mennonite community who drive modern trucks, etc. And many are in the poultry business, either working for larger farms or growing organic eggs using manual feeders, and a minimum of electrical equipment. Wear dark blue pants and brighter blue shirts in many cases. Unruh and Zickefoose are common names.
I'm from Detroit yup we use to see them all the time
We had Amish communities in Missouri. In fact, my husband drove into their communities for several years driving the truck that carried their milk to the dairy. He loved it and helped them whenever he could. He also had them tell him each time they held church at a different home so he could go there first and pick up their milk. He did not want his big truck to scare the large amount of horses there. They really appreciated that. He would even take them to Columbia if they needed to go to a doctor, etc. He also drove in another Amish community several miles from the first one.
Here in Adams County Indiana we have Amish moving to Missouri due to the restrictions on agriculture buildings on their property. Basically, they are only allowed minimal duck and cattle buildings. This restricts them from making more money
I live in south central Indiana and never realized that there were that many Amish. I’m originally from Kentucky and used to drive through Adams county Ohio and remember there being a large Amish community in that county.
Yes and they have really spread to a lot of new locations over the past 10-20 years. There are actually a couple communities in Adams Co. Ohio but the larger one is near West Union, so I'm guessing that might be the one you saw there.
@@AmishAmerica could be. This was back in the mid 1980’s. I was working on a project in Parkersburg, WV and was driving SR 32 every week between there and NKY near Cincinnati. I used to buy every donut he had and a pie or 2. All his pastries were awesome.
Amish built RVs are the only RVs we buy. Many of my friends are from Pennsylvania including Lancaster County area
I'm from Crittenden Co KY, we have a very large Amish community, very friendly community, most are Yoder, Miller, Byler, Deitwiller's. Beautify country. It's a mix as to what they follow, some old world, some progressive or lean progressive. My husband and do a lot of business in the community and have made really good friends with several in the community. The younger progressive have began to move out west to Colorado.
I live in Crittenden Country also. I think we have the 2nd largest population of Amish in Kentucky.
Also Neighboring Holmes county is west of Medina county and part of Ashland and Knox county too.
Just played golf in Alient Pa and saw an Amish horse and wagon pass by the course.
I was curious as I always am about geography so I googled the town, but didn't find it. What county is that?
@@AmishAmerica Sorry I mispelled. It was Atglen Pa.
#8 my grandpa took us to the auction get big surgur cookie. As an adult enjoy going there good food, butcher shop & cheese, orchids. We call it Amish land.
You mentioned the Amish working at an RV factory- if I’m not badly mistaken Jayco RV was started by Amish
We use to live close to Lancaster (Bird in Hand // Intercourse).
It's beautiful.
Rarely see a speck of trash. Never a beer bottle.
And rarely see any State Police. Probably don't have any local police.
The whole country would be much better off with more Amish people.
They embrace good values that the rest of us have forgotten.
Verrry interesting.
I’m from LaGrange, Indiana and yes, it’s Amish country
if you've not done it already, can you please do a full video of every State that has Amish? As far as I know they're in almost every State, including Colorado. Thank You.
Here you go! ua-cam.com/video/54HuKEzkQX0/v-deo.html - they're in 31 states as of recording that video, but I've lately been hearing they are now in a 32nd, to be confirmed...
I was just in indiana i wish i would have known this when i was there im so fasniated by them
I have been studying their culture for years, and happy this channel is on UA-cam.
I’ve been to several of these areas
Neat, was there one you enjoyed most?
Have you ever visited the community in Bowling Green, Missouri? I live near them and like to drive through their community. I would like to photograph their farms/buggies but am reluctant even though they are very friendly and always wave at passersby.
I haven't been there Angela, though about 10 years ago we had a couple of guest posts from someone who visited - looks like a nice community. I'll throw the links in below for reference. Things can vary, but generally the rule is Amish don't go for posed photography (though there are exceptions to that, I've seen it on numerous occasions). Many are okay with things like farms, buggies, animals, etc., and also unposed photos are often accepted or tolerated. Have you ever stopped in to visit one of their businesses? I would suggest trying that if you haven't. I seem to remember there was a beekeeper in this community unless I'm mixing it up with another. amishamerica.com/bowling-green-missouri-amish/ amishamerica.com/bowling-green-missouri-amish-auction/
Indiana, wow.
Was visiting PA and sitting at a stop sign in the middle of a corn field in Intercourse PA when I was hit by an out of control car. Had to sit in the back of a "Intercourse Police" car while they figured out why I didn't have an insurance card. (Not required in MA) My wife thought it was hilarious!
Yes that's were they filmed the movie "For Richer or Poorer " with Tim Allen and Kristy Alley....funny movie about the Amish lifestyle
Lancaster is also home to author Beverly Lewis.
Her Amish books are all set in a fictional version of Lancaster.