What states have the most Amish?

Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana consistently have the largest Amish populations, accounting for about two-thirds of the total U.S. Amish population, with Pennsylvania usually leading, followed closely by Ohio and then Indiana, though their ranking can slightly shift based on the specific year and source. Other states with significant Amish populations include Wisconsin, New York, Michigan, Missouri, and Kentucky.

What are the top 3 Amish states?

The Amish have settled in as many as 32 US-states though about 2/3 are located in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana. The largest Amish settlement is Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and adjacent counties followed by Holmes and adjoining counties in northeast Ohio, about 78 miles south of Cleveland.

Where is the largest Amish community in the USA?

The biggest Amish community in the U.S. is in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, established in the 1700s, making it the oldest and largest settlement, followed by communities in Holmes County, Ohio and Elkhart/LaGrange Counties, Indiana. This Pennsylvania community, centered around towns like Intercourse and Bird-in-Hand, is well-known for its traditional farming, horse-drawn buggies, and distinct Pennsylvania Dutch culture.
 

How many wifes can Amish have?

Amish men can only have one wife at a time, as polygamy (having multiple wives) is not practiced, and divorce is generally not allowed, making marriages monogamous lifelong commitments, though widowers can remarry within their community, often to an older single woman or a widow for companionship or family formation. 

What is the best Amish town to visit?

For the best tourist experience, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, is ideal due to its large, established Amish population and extensive tourism infrastructure (buggy rides, shops, restaurants). For a more diverse, friendly vibe, Holmes County, Ohio, offers a large, laid-back community. If you prefer warmer weather and a unique, progressive atmosphere, Pinecraft, Florida, is a popular Amish winter/vacation spot. 

All 31 Amish States: Largest to Smallest

Can Amish use condoms?

While generally discouraged or forbidden by religious doctrine (Ordnung) in most Old Order Amish communities, as children are seen as blessings from God, some Amish individuals, especially in less traditional groups or facing health/financial hardships, may quietly use natural family planning or even modern contraception, though this isn't openly endorsed and can vary. Condoms, as a modern birth control method, fall under these general restrictions but exceptions occur, particularly in more liberal communities or where economic pressures mount. 

Who is the richest family in Pennsylvania?

While Jeff Yass is often cited as Pennsylvania's richest individual due to his stake in Susquehanna International Group and TikTok's parent company, the Mars Family, heirs to Mars, Incorporated (M&Ms, Pedigree), and the Dorrance Family, tied to Campbell Soup, represent major, long-standing Pennsylvania family fortunes, with Victoria Mars and Mary Alice Dorrance Malone being prominent family members listed among the state's wealthiest, alongside newer figures like Yass and Michael Rubin (Fanatics).
 

Do the Amish have SSN?

No, most Amish people do not have Social Security Numbers (SSNs) because their religious beliefs exempt them from participating in the system, opting out of benefits and taxes, though they do pay other taxes like income and property taxes and rely on community care instead of government aid, with exemptions secured via IRS Form 4029. While they avoid SSNs for religious reasons, they do have government IDs for other purposes, and the IRS may assign an SSN if needed for specific tax filings, but the goal is to remain outside the system. 

At what age do Amish girls marry?

Amish girls typically get married in their early 20s, often between ages 20 and 22, usually shortly after being baptized into the church during their late teens or early twenties, with dating starting around 16 and partners found at social events like Sunday singings. 

What are the three types of Amish?

While there are many Amish subgroups, they generally fall under broader categories like Old Order (most traditional, horse & buggy), New Order (more progressive, some tech like phones), and Beachy Amish (more open to modern life, automobiles, electricity). These groups differ in technology use, dress, and interpretations of Ordnung (rules), with Old Order being the most restrictive and Beachy the most integrated into modern society. 

What are common Amish surnames?

Common Amish last names include Yoder, Miller, Stoltzfus, Hershberger, Mast, Troyer, Beiler, Zook, King, Fisher, Lapp, Gingerich, Weaver, Schrock, Hochstetler, Coblentz, and Bontrager, with prevalence varying by region, such as Stoltzfus in Pennsylvania and Bontrager in Northern Indiana. Many names originate from Swiss German or German roots, reflecting their Anabaptist history. 

Do Amish allow outsiders to join?

Yes, outsiders can join the Amish, but it's rare and difficult, requiring deep commitment to their simple lifestyle, faith, community rules, and culture, including learning Pennsylvania Dutch; they don't actively recruit, and converts must undergo a significant conversion and baptism process, giving up modern conveniences like cars and electricity. While some communities, like the New Order Amish, may be slightly more open, the sacrifices in technology, individualism, and cultural adjustment are substantial, with most attempts not succeeding. 

What language do Amish people speak?

Amish people primarily speak Pennsylvania Dutch (Pennsylvania German) (their home language), English (for interacting with the outside world and in education), and High German (for religious services and scripture), using three languages to navigate their distinct cultural and religious life. Pennsylvania Dutch, their first language, is a German dialect that developed from immigrants in the 18th century, with some English influence, while High German connects them to their religious heritage.
 

What jobs do Amish people do?

Amish people work in diverse fields, traditionally farming, but increasingly in skilled trades like carpentry, construction, and furniture making, alongside cottage industries such as quilting, baking, crafts, and operating roadside stands for goods like produce, baked items, and hardware. Many run successful small businesses, using skills like woodworking and craftsmanship, while some work in non-Amish factories, balancing off-farm work with home-based production to support their families, emphasizing hard work, community, and self-sufficiency.
 

Who will be the 1st trillionaire?

While no one is officially a trillionaire yet, Elon Musk is widely predicted to be the first, with projections often placing him there by 2027, driven by growth in companies like Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI, especially after shareholders approved a massive pay package and SpaceX's valuation surged, though his path involves achieving significant performance targets for those stock options. Other potential contenders include Jeff Bezos and Jensen Huang, but Musk is generally seen as the frontrunner due to his diverse, high-growth ventures.
 

What's the nicest place to live in Pennsylvania?

The best place to live in Pennsylvania depends on your priorities, with top contenders like West Chester (great schools, charming downtown), Pittsburgh (affordable, tech/arts scene), and suburbs like Chesterbrook/Collegeville (family-friendly, safe) often highlighted for strong schools, safety, and quality of life, while areas like Harrisburg offer affordability and city amenities, and small towns like Lititz or New Hope provide idyllic settings. 

Who is the current richest person on Earth?

As of early January 2026, Elon Musk is the richest person in the world, with his net worth estimated by various sources like Forbes and Bloomberg and Yahoo Finance to be over $600 billion (ranging from roughly $619 to $726 billion), primarily from his stakes in Tesla, SpaceX, and his other ventures like xAI. He significantly leads the next wealthiest individuals, including Google co-founder Larry Page and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
 

Do Amish ladies wear bras?

Yes, most Amish women wear bras, but they are typically plain, functional cotton styles (not lacy or fancy), and in some very conservative communities, a hand-sewn alternative garment might be used instead of a store-bought bra for modesty and nursing needs. The specific undergarments vary by community, but the general principle is simplicity and practicality, not adornment. 

Do Amish females shave?

No, Amish women typically do not shave; it's generally forbidden by their community rules (Ordnung) as it's seen as vanity and too worldly, though some former Amish women have mentioned secret attempts to shave out of curiosity for "English" (non-Amish) lifestyles, finding it difficult and impractical. Their focus is on modesty, with long hair covered by prayer coverings (kapps), and body hair is usually left natural, contrasting with the Amish men who shave their faces but grow beards after marriage.
 

Do Amish men wear underpants?

Yes, most Amish men wear underwear, typically simple, practical styles like boxers or briefs, similar to store-bought basic cotton ones, though some very traditional groups might have rules against them or prefer homemade versions, with a focus on modesty and plainness rather than modern, fancy designs. 

What do Amish do for fun?

Amish fun centers on community, nature, and simple pastimes like games, storytelling, and outdoor activities such as fishing, hunting, swimming, ice skating, and sledding, often with family and neighbors, involving board games (like Settlers of Catan), card games, and team sports like softball, plus hobbies like quilting, reading, sewing, crafts, and visiting. They enjoy simple pleasures like homemade ice cream socials, buggy rides, and gatherings in barns, focusing on connection rather than technology. 

Can Amish kiss before marriage?

Yes, Amish couples can kiss before marriage, but it's often very limited and happens privately, usually during "bundling" or late-night courting sessions where they might share a kiss after some rocking or conversation, but public affection is frowned upon, and strict rules (like a board in bed) are sometimes used to maintain modesty and prevent premarital sex, though premarital sex does occur despite being a sin. 

Can you spend a day with the Amish?

If you're interested in the Amish, it's a rare opportunity to spend time with an Amish family in their home. You can ask about this when making your reservation and we'll see if it can be arranged. Most of the farms offer a tour of the property along with an explanation of their farming techniques.