The Amish Population Boom
The Amish population in North America is expanding at a remarkable rate of 3 to 4 percent annually, a pace that causes their numbers to double roughly every 20 years. This is not a story of outside converts joining the faith, but one of powerful internal growth sustained for generations. This unique demographic vitality is rooted in a distinct approach to family, faith, and community that sets the Amish apart from mainstream society. Understanding this growth begins with a simple question: how large are their families?
What Is the Average Amish Family Size?
The cornerstone of Amish population growth is a consistently high birth rate. While estimates vary slightly depending on the community and data collection methods, the average Amish family has between five and seven children. This figure stands in stark contrast to the U.S. national average, which it surpasses by three to four times.
This high fertility is not a demographic accident but a conscious expression of faith. Amish religious beliefs frame children as a blessing from God, and there is a general rejection of modern, artificial forms of birth control. Large families are therefore not just a tradition, but a deeply held value passed down through generations. This cultural and religious foundation insulates the community from the smaller-family trends prevalent in the surrounding world and solidifies the role of a large family in Amish identity.
Drivers of Sustained Growth
A high birth rate alone does not guarantee population growth. The Amish demographic engine is powered by two additional factors: an exceptionally high retention rate and the near-universal practice of having children.
First, the community successfully keeps its youth. An estimated 85 percent or more of children raised in the faith choose to be baptized and remain in the church as adults. Unlike many other groups that experience significant attrition, the Amish community integrates the vast majority of its new generation. This ensures that the cultural values supporting large families are carried forward, as most children grow up to establish their own large families, creating a self-sustaining cycle of growth.
Second, within marriage, childbearing is a nearly universal practice. The rate of childlessness among married Amish couples hovers at a remarkably low 3 percent, a figure believed to reflect natural biological infertility rather than personal choice. In Amish culture, marriage and parenthood are seen as inseparable parts of adult life. This creates a powerful social framework where nearly every married couple contributes to the next generation, maximizing the demographic impact of their high fertility rate.
Historical Trends and Economic Realities
While consistently high, Amish fertility rates have not been static. Historical data reveals a more complex picture, one that challenges the idea of a community completely isolated from broader societal trends. In the first half of the 20th century, Amish fertility reached a peak, with women in some communities having an average of more than seven children. Following this high point, however, fertility rates began a noticeable decline in the post-war era.
Surprisingly, this decline, while starting from a much higher baseline, closely mirrored the timing and scale of the fertility decline seen in the general U.S. population. This parallel suggests that the Amish were not immune to the social or economic forces influencing family decisions across the country. Since the community largely abstains from modern contraception, this hints at a surprising link to the economy. It suggests that while children are always a blessing, practical considerations about economic stability—the good years and bad years for their farms and businesses—can play a role in the timing and spacing of births.
Variations in Family Size by Community
The image of a large Amish family is accurate, but the reality is more nuanced than a single average suggests. Significant variations exist across different Amish settlements, shaped by local economic conditions and church traditions.
Studies have documented that completed family sizes can range from an average of just over four children in some communities to nearly eight in others. These differences are often linked to a settlement’s age and prosperity. For example, a newly established community facing the economic challenges of starting from scratch may exhibit different family patterns than a well-established, prosperous one where land and resources are more secure.
Furthermore, research indicates a trend where wealthier Amish households tend to have fewer children than those with lower incomes. One analysis found that fertility rates can fall from an average of six to eight children among the poorest families to between three and five in the wealthiest households. However, it is crucial to place this in context. Even the "smaller" families of four or five children found in affluent Amish homes are still quite large by modern standards. This demonstrates that while economic factors may influence family size, they do not override the fundamental cultural and religious belief that a family is a cherished gift.
