The Amish population has been known for its rapid growth over the years. This growth is largely due to high birth rates and a low rate of members leaving the community.
Every 20 years, the number of Amish people almost doubles. This trend is expected to continue, given the community’s high birth rates and lifestyle.
At the beginning of World War II, there were less than 10,000 Amish people in the United States. Fast forward to the year 2000, and that number had grown to 166,000. Now, the latest estimates suggest there are around 378,190 Amish individuals.
As of 2023, the largest Amish communities in the United States are in Pennsylvania (89,765), Ohio (84,065), Indiana (63,645), Wisconsin (24,920), and New York (23,285).
Amish Population Growth [1901-2023]
Here’s a look at the Amish population numbers over the years.
| Year | Amish Population Number | Year/Decade-over-Year Growth |
|---|---|---|
| 1901 | 6,300 | Not Available |
| 1911 | 6,600 | +300 (Decade) |
| 1921 | 9,960 | +3,360 (Decade) |
| 1931 | 14,300 | +4,340 (Decade) |
| 1941 | 21,100 | +6,800 (Decade) |
| 1951 | 27,675 | +6,575 (Decade) |
| 1961 | 36,855 | +9,180 (Decade) |
| 1971 | 50,280 | +13,425 (Decade) |
| 1981 | 77,955 | +27,675 (Decade) |
| 1991 | 123,025 | +45,070 (Decade) |
| 2000 | 166,000 | +42,975 (Year) |
| 2001 | 189,335 | +23,335 (Year) |
| 2010 | 249,000 | +59,665 (Decade) |
| 2012 | 273,710 | +24,710 (Year) |
| 2017 | 313,215 | +39,505 (Year) |
| 2018 | 324,900 | +11,685 (Year) |
| 2019 | 336,235 | +11,335 (Year) |
| 2021 | 355,660 | +19,425 (Year) |
| 2022 | 367,295 | +11,635 (Year) |
| 2023 | 378,190 | +10,895 (Year) |
The growth graphic looks like this:
Broken down by major growth milestones, the Amish population grew as follows:
⇒ 1901: In 1901, the Amish population was 6,300.
⇒ 1911: By 1911, it had increased slightly to 6,600.
⇒ 1121: Jumping ahead to 1921, there were 9,960 Amish individuals.
⇒ 1931: In 1931, the community had grown to 14,300 members.
⇒ 11941: By 1941, it reached a significant 21,100.
⇒ 1951: In 1951, there were 27,675 Amish, showing steady growth.
⇒ 1961: By 1961, the population had risen to 36,855.
⇒ 1971: In 1971, there were 50,280 Amish, a substantial increase.
⇒ 1981: Moving on to 1981, the community had grown to 77,955.
⇒ 1991: In 1991, the Amish population surged to an impressive 123,025.
⇒ 2000: The Amish population in North America was estimated to be around 166,000.
⇒ 2001: Just a year later, in 2001, the Amish population, reached 189,335.
⇒ 2010: By 2010, this number had increased significantly to about 249,000 in just one decade.
⇒ 2012: In 2012, the Amish population continued to grow, reaching 273,710.
⇒ 2017: By 2017, the Amish population was estimated to be about 313,215.
⇒ 2018: In 2018, the Amish population was estimated to be approximately 324,900.
⇒ 2019: Jumping ahead to 2019, there were around 336,235 Amish people across the country.
⇒ 2021: In 2021, the Amish population reached approximately 355,660.
⇒ 2022: Moving to 2022, the estimate was about 367,295 Amish individuals.
⇒ 2023: The most recent data available, as of 2023, put the Amish population at around 378,190 nationwide.
Amish Population Growth Trends
Always Growing
The Amish population has been steadily increasing in numbers over the years. From 1901 to 2010, their population went up by over 240,000 individuals.
Big Jumps Every Decade
Each decade brought a pretty big increase in Amish people. Sometimes it was a few thousand, and in the 1990s, it was a whopping 45,070 more Amish.
Speeding Up
Things really picked up in the late 1900s and early 2000s. Between 2000 and 2010, there was a huge jump of almost 60,000 Amish folks – that’s more than in any other decade.
2000 to 2023
The Amish population took some big leaps, especially between 2000 and 2023. In just 23 years, it grew by around 212,000 people.
Still Growing
The latest data we have from 2023 shows that the Amish community is still growing, albeit at a slower pace than before.
Why the Growth
Big Families
Amish families tend to have more children than the average American family. This means more babies being born into the community, which naturally leads to population growth.
If the Amish formed their own country, they would have the highest number of children per family in the world. It’s estimated that the average Amish woman has 7 kids.
The average American woman has fewer kids than what’s needed to replace the current population, which is called “sub-replacement fertility.”
Low Attrition
The Amish community has a low attrition rate, which means that most Amish people choose to stay within the community throughout their lives.
They don’t typically leave, even after Rumspringa, and this helps maintain their population.
The Amish prioritize a close-knit community, and this sense of belonging encourages young people to stay and raise their families within the Amish way of life.
Amish Population Growth Slowed Down After 2012
The Amish population growth slowed down after 2012. Based on the population numbers, growth should have been higher if the trend from 1901 to 2010 had continued.
If the growth trend from 1901 to 2010 had continued, the estimated Amish population in 2023 would be 599,567 individuals (vs 378,190 in 2023).
Although not openly discussed, family planning and birth control might be part of why the Amish population growth slowed down after 2012.
Some Amish people decide how many kids they want to have. They might use methods to help them control when they have children.
Let’s not forget that raising a big family is expensive. Some Amish couples might use birth control to have fewer children because it’s easier to provide for them.
Not all Amish communities have the same rules about family planning and birth control. Some are more traditional, while others are open to modern methods.
Many Amish families might be using birth control, but they don’t talk about it.
You can tell this because more progressive communities with fewer rules tend to have fewer kids, while the ones with stricter rules (Old Order Amish) tend to have more children.
New Order Amish families typically have 6-7 kids, while Old Order Amish families usually have 10 kids.
Note: Data on Amish population numbers between 1901 to 2012 was compiled by Donald Kraybill using data from Raber’s New American Almanac. Data from 2017 to 2023 was sourced from Amish Studies, an academic website developed by the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown College.