What US state has the largest Amish population?

Pennsylvania has the most Amish people, closely followed by Ohio and Indiana, with Pennsylvania's large population concentrated in historic areas like Lancaster County, though Ohio often leads in the sheer number of distinct communities and settlements, with recent data showing Pennsylvania leading in total population.

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.

Do Amish people get social security?

No, generally Amish people do not receive Social Security benefits because they are exempt from paying Social Security taxes due to their religious belief in self-sufficiency and community care, relying on their church for support instead of government insurance; however, they still pay other taxes like income, property, and sales taxes, and if they work for a non-Amish employer, they might have to pay into Social Security for benefits they won't claim, a situation some advocate to change.
 

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. 

Where is the biggest 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.
 

The 10 Largest Amish Communities

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. 

Are there any wealthy Amish?

Some are. After the Amish of Lancaster county Pennsylvania, the Troyer Amish near Woodstock Ontario Canada 🇨🇦 are the second wealthiest. Keep in mind this is based mainly on land value as an asset measurement. It also figures in businesses and earnings from farming, carpentry and custom work.

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 men use condoms?

Therefore, the use of condoms by Amish men is strictly forbidden and condemned in most, if not all, Amish communities.

What must an Amish bride do on her wedding night?

On their wedding night, an Amish woman spends her first night as a wife in her parents' home, often with playful pranks from friends, before helping with cleanup the next day, as the "honeymoon" involves visiting relatives to receive gifts, not a separate trip. The evening involves celebration, but the focus is on community and preparation for starting their new life, often living with parents initially. 

What is the average income of an Amish person?

Amish annual incomes vary widely, from modest earnings for farmers (around $40k-$50k) to significant wealth for successful business owners (millions), with many earning in the $40,000 to $75,000 range, especially in thriving enterprises like furniture, construction, and manufacturing, though figures are hard to pin down due to lack of public reporting. Their income depends heavily on their occupation, with business success often leading to wealth, which is reinvested rather than spent on lavish displays, notes DutchCrafters and Quora users.
 

Do Amish fly on planes?

Most Amish generally avoid flying as it's seen as worldly and extravagant, but it's not strictly forbidden; exceptions are made for emergencies (like medical flights), business needs (selling goods across states), or certain groups like the New Order Amish, who are more flexible and may fly for travel or mission work. They often prefer trains, buses, or vans for long-distance travel to align with their values of humility and community.
 

What blood types do the Amish have?

Three blood group genes (Kell-positive, CDue and CDE) are present in low frequency in the Lancaster Amish, and pedigree studies identified individuals who may have introduced them to the Amish.

What are common Amish last names?

Common Amish last names include Yoder, Miller, Stoltzfus, King, Fisher, Lapp, Bontrager, Hershberger, and Troyer, reflecting their close-knit communities and shared European heritage, with variations common by region like Stoltzfus and King in Pennsylvania, and Bontrager and Lehman in Indiana.
 

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. 

What technology do Amish use?

Amish use a selective, community-approved technology, rejecting items that threaten family/community (like public electricity, TVs, personal cars) but adopting tools for work/efficiency (generators, propane fridges, battery lights, tractors for belt power, cell phones in shanties) to serve their way of life, with rules varying by district. They prioritize technologies that help them remain distinct and avoid worldly temptations, often powering devices with batteries, diesel, or gas instead of public grids. 

What do Amish use instead of toilet paper?

Amish people traditionally use simple, reusable items like old rags or cloth, alongside readily available natural materials such as leaves, corn cobs, or even newspaper pages, often seeing manufactured toilet paper as an unnecessary luxury, though some progressive groups do use it. Their choices reflect resourcefulness, simplicity, and waste reduction, with reusable cloths being washed and reused for hygiene.
 

Do Amish ladies shave?

No, generally Amish women do not shave their legs or underarms; it's often against their community's rules (Ordnung) as it's seen as vanity or worldly, with natural hair being preferred, though some individual women might bend the rules, facing potential shunning or discipline from their church. Their hair is kept up, covered, and grown long, emphasizing modesty over modern beauty standards, and while they might use razors for hair cutting (like trimming long hair), shaving for smoothness is typically forbidden. 

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. 

Do Amish males get circumcised?

It depends on the community. We are currently working with a Mennonite community and all the boys that have been born were circumcised. There is an Amish community downstate that doesn't circumcise. So it really depends on the community as to what they practice.

Do Amish girls get pregnant during Rumspringa?

Rumspringa is a period that begins at age sixteen and ends with the promise of baptism, during this period young Amish are exposed to the outside world. Another problem the Amish community faces during the Rumspringa period is unexpected pregnancy.

Do Amish girls wear thongs?

While Amish modesty generally favors practical, simple undergarments like cotton briefs, it's unlikely they wear thongs for daily wear due to cultural emphasis on plainness, though personal choices and curiosity during Rumspringa (teenage years) might lead some to experiment with more revealing styles, even bikinis in private, but this isn't representative of typical Amish modesty. 

What's the life expectancy of an Amish man?

Amish men's average lifespan is similar to the general U.S. population, around the low 70s to low 80s, but historical data suggests they lived longer, and recent studies indicate they may still outlive non-Amish men in certain regions, potentially due to lifestyle, genetics (like a rare longevity gene in one group), and lower rates of certain diseases after age 40, though this isn't universal across all Amish communities. 

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).