Amish facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Amish

An Amish family riding in a traditional Amish buggy in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Total population
383,565 (2023, Old Order Amish)
Founder
Jakob Ammann
Regions with significant populations
United States (large populations in Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania; notable populations in Kentucky, Missouri, Michigan, New York, and Wisconsin; small populations in various other states) Canada (mainly in Ontario)
Religions
Anabaptist
Scriptures
The Bible
Languages
English Pennsylvania Dutch Swiss German

The Amish are a group of traditional Christians. They are part of a larger Christian movement called Anabaptism. The Amish originally came from Switzerland and Alsace. They are known for living a simple life, wearing plain clothes, and believing in peace instead of fighting. They also choose not to use many modern technologies. This helps them spend more time with family, talk face-to-face, and be self-reliant. The Amish value living in the countryside, working with their hands, being humble, and practicing Gelassenheit (meaning 'letting be' or 'calmness', which means trusting in God's plan).

The Amish came from Switzerland.

The Amish church started in Switzerland in 1693. It began when a group of Mennonite Anabaptists split, led by Jakob Ammann. Those who followed Ammann became known as the Amish. Later, in the late 1800s, the Amish divided again into the Old Order Amish and the Amish Mennonites. The Old Order Amish kept their traditional ways, while the Amish Mennonites started using cars and more modern things. Today, when people talk about the Amish, they usually mean the Old Order Amish.

There are three main Amish groups: the Old Order Amish, the New Order Amish, and the Beachy Amish. All of them wear plain clothes and follow the Bible, guided by their church's rules called the Ordnung. The Old Order and New Order Amish speak Pennsylvania Dutch and use horse-drawn buggies for travel. The Beachy Amish use modern technology, including cars, and often speak the local language where they live. Both the New Order and Beachy Amish focus on a "New Birth" experience and try to share their faith with others.

In the early 1700s, many Amish and Mennonites moved to Pennsylvania. They came because there was no religious persecution there, and land was available. Most Old Order Amish, New Order Amish, and Old Beachy Amish speak Pennsylvania Dutch. However, some Swiss Amish in Indiana speak different German dialects. As of 2023, there are over 377,000 Old Order Amish in the United States and about 6,000 in Canada. Their population is growing quickly. Amish church groups try to stay somewhat separate from the non-Amish world. Non-Amish people are often called "English" by the Amish.

Amish church membership starts with adult baptism, usually between ages 16 and 23. Church groups, called districts, have 20 to 40 families. Old Order and New Order Amish hold worship services every other Sunday in a member's home or barn. Beachy Amish worship every Sunday in church buildings. The church rules, the Ordnung, are reviewed twice a year by all church members. The Ordnung guides many parts of daily life. It includes rules about using electricity, telephones, and cars, as well as clothing. Family and church relationships are very important. Old Order Amish usually have their own one-room schools. They stop formal education after eighth grade (around age 13-14). Most Amish do not buy commercial insurance or participate in Social Security. As Anabaptists, Amish members practice nonresistance, meaning they will not serve in the military.

Amish History

Early Anabaptist Beginnings

Cover of The Amish and the Mennonites, 1938

An old Amish cemetery in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 1941

The Anabaptist movement, from which the Amish came, began in Switzerland in the 1500s. This was during the time of the Reformation in Switzerland. On January 21, 1525, in Zürich, Conrad Grebel and George Blaurock baptized each other and then others. This group became known as the Swiss Brethren.

How the Amish Group Started

The name "Amish" was first used in 1710. It was used by people who disagreed with Jakob Ammann, an Anabaptist leader. The first informal split among Swiss Brethren happened in the 1600s. It was between the Oberländer (those living in the hills) and the Emmentalers (those living in the Emmental valley). The Oberländer were a stricter group.

Swiss Anabaptism then developed into two main paths. They disagreed on how to treat members who had left the church. The Emmentalers believed that those who had been banned should only be kept from communion. The Amish believed they should also be avoided during regular meals. The Emmentalers later formed the Swiss Mennonite Conference. Because of this shared history, Amish and conservative Mennonites in Europe are very similar.

Moving to North America

Amish people started moving to Pennsylvania in the early 1700s. Pennsylvania was a good place because there was no religious persecution and land was available. Between 1717 and 1750, about 500 Amish moved to North America. Most settled in what became Berks County, Pennsylvania. Later, many moved to Lancaster County. A second group of about 1,500 arrived around the mid-1800s. They settled mostly in Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, and southern Ontario. Most of these later immigrants did not join the Old Order Amish.

The Split into Old Orders and Amish Mennonites (1850–1878)

Many Amish communities in North America did not stay Amish. A big division happened in the late 1800s. This led to many Amish groups losing their original identity. This process was more like a "sorting out" than a sudden split. Amish people could join other Amish groups that fit them best.

From 1862 to 1878, yearly meetings were held to discuss how the Amish should deal with modern society. These meetings were a new idea. More traditional bishops decided not to attend these conferences. The more progressive members, about two-thirds of the group, became known as Amish Mennonites. They later joined with other Mennonite churches. The more traditional groups became known as the Old Order Amish.

Because no division happened in Europe, the Amish groups there slowly joined with the Mennonites. The last Amish church in Germany joined the Mennonites in 1937.

20th Century Changes

Splits continued among the Old Order Amish in the 20th century. During World War I, two very conservative groups formed: the Swartzentruber Amish in Ohio and the Buchanan Amish in Iowa.

Also during World War I, the German language was discouraged in the U.S. This led most German speakers to switch to English. The Amish and other Old Order groups became almost the only ones still speaking Pennsylvania German. This created a language barrier around the Amish that didn't exist before.

In the late 1920s, a more modern group, the Beachy Amish, broke away from the Old Order Amish. They wanted to use cars. During Second World War, Amish young men refused military service because of their beliefs. They worked in Civilian Public Service (CPS) instead, often in hospitals. This contact with the outside world led some of them not to join the Amish church.

In the 1950s, the Beachy Amish focused on a "New Birth" experience and Sunday School. Those who wanted to keep the older Beachy ways became the Old Beachy Amish. In 1966, the New Order Amish formed. They had different beliefs about salvation and using modern farming methods.

Until about 1950, most Amish children went to small, non-Amish schools. But then, schools started combining, and more schooling became required. The Amish opposed this. So, Amish communities opened their own schools. In 1972, the U.S. Supreme Court said that Amish students did not have to go to school past eighth grade. By the end of the 20th century, almost all Amish children attended Amish schools.

In the late 1900s, more Amish men started small businesses instead of farming. This was because farming became harder for small farms. Construction and woodworking are common Amish businesses. In many Amish areas, farmers are now a minority.

Before the 1900s, Old Order Amish and their neighbors used similar tools. But in the 20th century, the Amish started to reject new technologies like telephones, cars, tractors, and radios. This was to keep their way of life simple.

Religious Practices

A page from De Ausbund, an old German hymn book.

Two important ideas for the Amish are rejecting Hochmut (pride) and valuing Demut (humility) and Gelassenheit (calmness or submission). Gelassenheit means not being boastful or putting oneself first. The Amish believe in submitting to God's will, which is different from the focus on individualism in wider American culture. This is why they reject technologies that might make them less dependent on their community. For example, electricity might lead to competition for fancy items, and photos might encourage vanity. They believe using power lines goes against the Bible's teaching to not be "conformed to the world."

Amish church membership begins with baptism, usually between ages 16 and 23. This is required for marriage within the Amish church. Once baptized, a person can only marry another Amish member. Church districts have 20 to 40 families. Worship services are held every other Sunday in a member's home or barn. A bishop, several ministers, and deacons lead the district. They are chosen by a mix of voting and drawing lots.

The church rules, called the Ordnung, are a bit different in each district. All church members review the Ordnung twice a year. If everyone agrees, then Lord's Supper is held. The Ordnung must be followed by every member. It covers many parts of daily life, like not using public electricity, telephones, or cars. It also has rules about clothing. As Anabaptists, Amish church members practice nonresistance and will not serve in the military. The Amish value rural life, manual labor, humility, and Gelassenheit. They believe these help them live according to God's word.

Members who do not follow these rules and do not change their ways may be removed from the church and avoided. The ways of avoiding someone vary between communities. About 85 percent of Amish young people choose to be baptized and join the church. During a period called rumspringa (Pennsylvania German for "running around"), some young people might try behaviors that would normally lead to shunning for an adult. These behaviors are often met with more patience during this time.

Amish Way of Life

Amish couple in horse-driven buggy in rural Holmes County, Ohio, September 2004

The Amish lifestyle is guided by the Ordnung (rules). These rules are slightly different in each community and even within different districts. There is no single main Amish governing group. Each Amish community makes its own decisions. What is allowed in one community might not be in another. The Ordnung is agreed upon or changed by all baptized members before Communion, which happens twice a year. The meeting where the Ordnung is discussed is called Ordnungsgmee in Pennsylvania Dutch. The Ordnung includes rules about clothing, using technology, religious duties, and how to interact with outsiders. In these meetings, women also vote on questions about the Ordnung.

Having children, raising them, and spending time with neighbors and relatives are the most important parts of Amish family life. Amish people usually believe that large families are a gift from God. Farm families tend to have more children because sons are needed to help with farm work. Community is very important to the Amish way of life.

Working hard is seen as a good thing. Some new technologies have been rejected because they reduce the need for hard work. For example, automatic floor cleaners in barns were rejected because they gave young farmhands too much free time.

Transportation

Amish communities are known for traveling by horse and buggy. They believe horse-drawn vehicles encourage a slower pace of life. However, most Amish communities also allow riding in motor vehicles like buses and cars. In recent years, many Amish people have started using electric bicycles. These are faster than walking or getting a horse and buggy ready.

Clothing

The Amish are known for their plain clothing. Men wear solid-colored shirts, wide-brimmed hats, and suits. This shows that everyone is equal. Amish men grow beards to show they are men and are married. They also do this to promote humility. They are not allowed to grow mustaches because mustaches are seen as connected to the military, which they oppose due to their beliefs in peace. Women also have rules about how to dress, found in the Ordnung. They wear calf-length dresses in muted colors, along with bonnets and aprons. Prayer kapps and bonnets are worn by women to show their religious beliefs and to promote unity. The color of the bonnet shows if a woman is single or married. Single women wear black bonnets, and married women wear white. This color code is important because women are not allowed to wear jewelry, like wedding rings. Jewelry is seen as drawing attention to the body, which can lead to pride. All clothing is sewn by hand. The way clothes are fastened depends on whether the person is Old Order or New Order Amish. Old Order Amish rarely use buttons because they are seen as too flashy. Instead, they use hook and eye fasteners or metal snaps. New Order Amish are a bit more modern and allow buttons.

Food and Meals

Amish food is known for being simple and traditional. Food is a big part of Amish social life. It is served at potlucks, weddings, fundraisers, and other events. Many Amish foods are sold at markets, including pies, preserves, bread mixes, pickled foods, and canned goods. Many Amish communities also have restaurants for visitors. The amount of meat the Amish eat is similar to the American average, but they tend to eat more preserved meat.

Amish food is often confused with the food of the wider cuisine of the Pennsylvania Dutch culture. However, there are differences in how they prepare and celebrate food.

Amish Groups

The Amish are divided into three main groups: the Old Order Amish, the New Order Amish, and the Beachy Amish. All of them wear plain clothes and live by the Bible, following their church's Ordnung. The Old Order Amish and New Order Amish speak Pennsylvania German and use buggies for transportation. The Beachy Amish use modern technology, including cars, and speak the local language of their area (except for the Old Beachy Amish who still use Pennsylvania German). Both the New Order Amish and the Beachy Amish focus on a "New Birth" experience, try to share their faith with others, and have Sunday Schools.

Over the years, Amish churches have split many times. These splits were mostly about the Ordnung and sometimes about shunning. The largest group, the "Old Order" Amish, is a conservative group that separated in the 1860s. They focus most on traditional practices and beliefs. The New Order Amish are seen by some as a subgroup of the Old Order Amish, despite their name.

Amish Affiliations

As of 2011, there were about 40 different Old Order Amish groups. The eight largest Old Order Amish groups are listed below. Lancaster is the biggest in terms of church districts and population:

Technology Use by Different Groups

The table below shows how different Amish groups use certain technologies. No Old or New Order Amish groups allow cars, radio, television, or usually the Internet. The "Lancaster," "Holmes Old Order," and "Elkhart-LaGrange" groups are the three largest and represent the main Old Order Amish. The most conservative groups are at the top of the table, and the most modern ones are at the bottom. Technologies used by very few are on the left, and those used by most are on the right.

* Natural gas allowed

Language Spoken

Most Old Order Amish, New Order Amish, and Old Beachy Amish speak Pennsylvania Dutch. They call non-Amish people "English," no matter their background. Two Amish groups, called Swiss Amish, speak different German dialects. Their ancestors came to the United States in the 1850s.

The word "Dutch" in "Pennsylvania Dutch" comes from the German word Deitsch, which means "German" or "of the people." Today, almost all Amish speak both Pennsylvania Dutch and English. They use Pennsylvania Dutch for most family and church settings. English is used for reading, writing, school, and business. They also sing and read prayers in Standard German during church services. Using these three languages helps show their Amish identity. Pennsylvania Dutch is one of the few minority languages in the U.S. that is not disappearing.

Amish Background

The Amish mostly have German or Swiss-German ancestors. They use the term "Amish" for members of their faith, not as an ethnic group. However, some Amish descendants recognize their unique cultural background. Most of today's Amish come from immigrants who arrived in the 1700s. These earlier immigrants tended to keep traditions more strongly.

Population and Where They Live

Amish settlements in the United States and Canada, 2022

It's hard to count the exact number of Amish because children are not counted until they are baptized, usually after age 18. Estimates show their numbers grew from 125,000 in 1992 to 383,565 in 2023. This is a very fast growth rate. The Amish population is one of the fastest-growing in the world. Families often have many children.

In 2010, about 241,000 Amish people lived in 28 U.S. states.

In the United States

The United States is home to most Amish people (98 percent). In 2023, Old Order communities were in 32 U.S. states. The total Amish population in the U.S. was 377,300 in June 2023. Pennsylvania has the largest population (89,000), followed by Ohio (84,000) and Indiana (63,600). The biggest Amish settlements are in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; Holmes County, Ohio; and Elkhart and LaGrange counties, Indiana. Holmes County, Ohio, has the highest concentration of Amish in the world, with almost 50 percent of its population being Amish in 2010.

Amish settlements in Pennsylvania, the state with the largest Amish population, 2022

The largest Amish settlements west of the Mississippi River are in Missouri, Iowa, and Minnesota. New Amish settlements are started every year because their population is growing so fast. They need more affordable farmland. Other reasons for new settlements include finding isolated areas that support their lifestyle, staying near family, and sometimes solving church disagreements.

In Canada

Amish communities are found in four Canadian provinces: Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, and New Brunswick. Most Old Order settlements are in Ontario. In 2016, several Old Order Amish families started two new settlements in Prince Edward Island. This was because land prices in Ontario were getting too high. Around the same time, new settlements were founded in New Brunswick and Manitoba.

In Latin America

There are currently two Amish settlements in South America: Argentina and Bolivia. Most are in Bolivia. The first attempt by Old Order Amish to settle in Latin America was in Mexico in the 1920s, but it didn't last. An Amish settlement was also tried in Honduras from 1968 to 1978, but it also failed. In 2015, new settlements of New Order Amish were started in Argentina and Bolivia.

In Europe

In Europe, the Amish groups did not split like they did in North America. They slowly joined the Mennonite churches during the late 1800s and early 1900s. They eventually stopped using the name "Amish" and lost their Amish identity and culture. The last European Amish church joined the Mennonites in 1937 in Germany.

People Joining the Amish

Only a few hundred outsiders, called "seekers," have ever joined the Old Order Amish. Since 1950, only about 75 non-Anabaptist people have joined and stayed lifelong members. Since 1990, about 20 people from a Russian Mennonite background have joined the Amish in Aylmer, Ontario.

Two whole Christian communities have joined the Amish. The "Michigan Amish Churches" are said to be more open to seekers and converts than other Amish churches. Most members of these communities originally came from other Plain churches, like Old Order Amish or Old Order Mennonites.

Many people have tried living the Old Order Amish life for weeks, months, or even years, but decided not to join in the end. Others stay close to the Amish but don't plan to join. On the other hand, the Beachy Amish, who often have services in English and use some modern conveniences, regularly welcome seekers as visitors and members.

Health and Wellness

Amish farm near Morristown, New York

Amish communities have higher rates of certain health conditions, like dwarfism and some metabolic disorders. This is because almost all Amish come from a few hundred families who lived in the 1700s. This is called the founder effect. While the Amish don't have more genetic disorders than the general population, some rare conditions are more common among them. Some of these disorders are serious and can increase the death rate among Amish children. The Amish know about the benefits of marrying outside their group, but for religious reasons, they only marry within their communities. Most Amish accept these conditions as Gottes Wille (God's will). They do not use genetic tests before marriage or for unborn children. When children are born with a disorder, they are accepted and given tasks they can do. However, the Amish are willing to take part in studies of genetic diseases. Their detailed family histories are helpful to researchers studying diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

While the Amish have a higher risk for some genetic disorders, their healthy lifestyle can lead to better overall health. Their rates of cancer are lower. Skin cancer rates are lower for Amish, even though many work outdoors. This is because they usually wear wide-brimmed hats and long sleeves that protect their skin.

The Clinic for Special Children in Strasburg, Pennsylvania, helps treat genetic problems. This clinic has found good treatments for diseases like maple syrup urine disease, which used to be deadly. Most Amish support the clinic. Another clinic, DDC Clinic for Special Needs Children in Middlefield, Ohio, also helps children with inherited disorders.

"People's Helpers" is an Amish-run group of mental health caregivers. They help families dealing with mental health issues and suggest professional counselors.

Old Order Amish usually do not have private health insurance. Some American hospitals have special programs to help the Amish. In some Amish communities, the church collects money from members to help pay for medical bills. Although some people think the Amish reject all modern technology, this is not true. They use modern medicine, including hospital births and advanced treatments. Since they pay for services themselves, Amish individuals sometimes travel to Mexico for non-urgent care and surgery to save money.

Amish Life in the Modern World

Traditional, Lancaster style Amish buggy

Amish school near Rebersburg, Pennsylvania

As time passes, the Amish feel pressure from the modern world. Issues like taxes, education, laws, and sometimes discrimination are challenges. The modern way of life has become very different from Amish society. Sometimes, this leads to problems, like people throwing things at Amish horse-drawn buggies on the road.

The Amish usually do not educate their children past the eighth grade. They believe this basic knowledge is enough to prepare them for the Amish lifestyle. Almost no Amish go to high school or college. In many communities, the Amish run their own schools. These are usually one-room schoolhouses with teachers (often young, unmarried women) from the Amish community. In 1972, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Amish students did not have to attend school past eighth grade.

The Amish pay sales and property taxes. Since they rarely own cars, they usually don't pay car registration fees or buy fuel. Because of their beliefs, the Amish generally do not agree with Social Security benefits and have religious reasons against insurance. So, in 1961, the United States Internal Revenue Service agreed they did not need to pay Social Security taxes. This became law in 1965. This rule applies to self-employed individuals in certain religious groups. The U.S. Supreme Court clarified in 1982 that Amish employers are not exempt, only self-employed Amish individuals.

Publishing

In 1964, Pathway Publishers was started by two Amish farmers. They wanted to print more books about the Amish and Anabaptists. It is located in Lagrange, Indiana, and Aylmer, Ontario. Pathway has become the main publisher of Amish school textbooks, general reading books, and magazines. Some Amish also read the Pennsylvania German newspaper Hiwwe wie Driwwe, and some even write articles for it.

Dog Breeding

Some Amish and Mennonite communities have started breeding dogs to earn money. Reports show that many dog breeding facilities, sometimes called "puppy mills," in states like Ohio, Indiana, and Pennsylvania are run by the Amish. There have been concerns about the care and treatment of these dogs.

Similar Groups

Other Anabaptist groups that came from the same movement as the Amish in the late 1800s share their Pennsylvania German heritage. They often have similar clothing. These groups include different Old Order Mennonites, traditional Schwarzenau Brethren, and Old Order River Brethren. The Noah Hoover Old Order Mennonites look very similar to the Old Order Amish, with their clothing, beards, horse and buggy, and strict rules against modern technology. They also speak Pennsylvania German, so they are often mistaken for Amish.

Conservative "Russian" Mennonites and Hutterites also dress plainly and speak German dialects. However, they came from other parts of Europe at different times and have different cultures and religious traditions. Hutterites, for example, live in communities and generally accept modern technology.

In Ukraine, there is a group of Baptists who have been compared to the Amish. This is because they also believe in simple living and peace.

The few remaining Plain Quakers have a similar way of life, including their views on war. However, they are not related to the Amish. Early Quakers were influenced by the Anabaptists and, in turn, influenced the Amish in colonial Pennsylvania. Most modern Quakers no longer wear traditional plain clothing.

Relations with Native Americans

The Northkill Amish Settlement, started in 1740 in Berks County, Pennsylvania, was the first known Amish community in the New World. During the French and Indian War, the Hochstetler family was attacked by local tribes in 1757. The sons wanted to fight back, but their father, Jacob, did not allow them to shoot because of the Anabaptist doctrine of nonresistance (not fighting). Jacob's wife, a daughter, and Jacob Jr. were killed. Jacob Sr. and two sons were taken captive. Jacob Sr. escaped later, but his sons were held for several years. When they were freed, both sons joined the church, and one became a minister.

As early as 1809, Amish farmers worked alongside Native American farmers in Pennsylvania. Some historians say that the Amish and Quakers were known to take Native Americans into their families to protect them from bad treatment, especially after the Removal Act of 1832.

The Amish, as pacifists, did not fight with Native Americans or directly force them off their land. However, they were among the European immigrants whose arrival led to Native Americans being displaced.

In 2012, the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society worked with the Native American community to build a replica Iroquois Longhouse.

See Also

In Spanish: Amish para niños

• Amish & Mennonite Heritage Center
• Amish furniture
• Amish music
• Barn raising
• Bank of Bird-in-Hand
• Christian views on poverty and wealth
• Fancy Dutch
• Hutterites
• List of Amish and their descendants
• Martyr's Mirror
• Mennonites
• Neo-Luddism
• Shaker
• Pinecraft
• Plain people
• West Nickel Mines School shooting

Images for kids

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  An Amish family riding in a traditional Amish buggy in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

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  The Amish came from Switzerland

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  Cover of The Amish and the Mennonites, 1938

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  An old Amish cemetery in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 1941

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  A page from De Ausbund, an old German hymn book.

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  Amish couple in horse-driven buggy in rural Holmes County, Ohio, September 2004

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  Amish settlements in the United States and Canada, 2022

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  Amish settlements in Pennsylvania, the state with the largest Amish population, 2022

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  Amish farm near Morristown, New York

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  Traditional, Lancaster style Amish buggy

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  Amish school near Rebersburg, Pennsylvania