One other point - does anyone actually count the Amish? They avoid government and census, don’t use phones or technology, and I doubt fat, lazy gov’t employees are driving around rural America trying to count them. Every Amish family I see has at least 4-5 kids
There could be millions more of them than anyone thinks.
RE: One other point - does anyone actually count the Amish? They avoid government and census...
Regading the Census, See here:
https://www.usreligioncensus.org/sites/default/files/2023-03/Appendix_I—Amish_Groups.pdf
So, the Amish ARE being counted in the U.S. Census. The census includes all baptized members or full members, and all children, teenagers, and young adults who have not yet decided to be baptized into the faith but who still live at home.
The Amish population figures for each state with at least one Amish community are provided in the census.
See here:
https://news.osu.edu/estimate-a-new-amish-community-is-founded-every-35-weeks-in-us/
However, it’s important to note that the Amish population is estimated by researchers and organizations that specialize in Amish studies, and these estimates are often used for more detailed population data.
These estimates take into account factors such as the establishment of new settlements and the sizable nuclear families within the Amish community. So, while the U.S. Census does count the Amish, more specific population data often comes from specialized research.
Also See here:
https://groups.etown.edu/amishstudies/statistics/amish-population-profile-2020/
The Amish population has seen significant growth over the years. In 2000, the estimated Amish population in North America was approximately 177,8851. By 2020, this number had increased to 350,6651, which is an increase of about 97%1. This means that the Amish population has essentially doubled since the turn of the century2.
This rapid growth is largely due to high birth rates and a low rate of members leaving the community. On average, the Amish population doubles about every 20 years. If the current growth rate, which has held constant for more than 100 years, remains the same, the Amish population is projected to be greater than the current population of the United States in 215 years (See here: https://dailycaller.com/2019/07/31/amish-population-america-growth-rates/ ).
It’s also worth noting that new Amish settlements are being established for a variety of reasons, including the desire for fertile farmland at reasonable prices, nonfarm work in specialized occupations, rural isolation that supports their traditional, family-based lifestyle, and social and physical environments conducive to their way of life1. This contributes to the overall growth of the Amish population.
“There could be millions more of them than anyone thinks.”
I think the count is pretty accurate given that you have to report their existence if you want to get the free-money for them.
Uh, not quite.
They need more than the replacement level of offspring to compensate for those who leave for the regular American life.
https://groups.etown.edu/amishstudies/statistics/amish-population-profile-2022/