A Demographic Profile of the Elkhart-LaGrange Old Order Amish Settlement

Abstract

In 1970, Johns Hopkins University produced the first Indiana Amish directory. Its goals were narrowly related to genetic research, and it opened a window into a nearly complete census of this settlement. It is rare in social science to have such a complete picture of any population. A decade later, the second directory was published. The Amish decided to put their own energy into producing this compendium of birth dates, family size, district maps, and detailed information on the ministerial history of the settlement. Using the data from eight directories, we can provide a nearly complete analysis of demographic change in the third largest Amish settlement in the world. In this study, we look at growth in settlement size, changes in family size, migration in and out of the settlement, defection and retention of Amish young people, the growth in nonfarm occupations over time, and the frequency of prominent family names.

Familial Ties, Location of Occupation, and Congregational Exit in Geographically-Based Congregations: A Case Study of the Amish

“…The relationship between occupation and exit varies across settlements; however, studies have focused on how the head of households' occupation impacts disaffiliation and migration of the children across settlements (Greksa and Korbin 2002;Meyers 1991Meyers , 1994b. Movement out of the congregation within the same settlement is not considered.…”

“…The husband and wife are able to work the farm together with their children and the family is able to share meals together throughout the day (Hostetler 1993;Nolt 2016). As farming has become less profitable and land more scarce, Amish men are likely to seek employment outside of the home, often in manufacturing, construction, or the service sector (Greksa and Korbin 2002;Lowery and Noble 2000;Meyers 1991Meyers , 1994a). These "lunch pail" jobs take men out of the home, disrupting the traditional family structure (Kreps et al 1994).…”

“…In addition, men who work outside of the home are exposed to non-Amish culture with greater frequency, which can impact traditional Amish values (Kraybill 2001;Kreps et al 1994;Meyers 1991;Stevick 2014). For example, an Amish man who works outside the home may rely on a driver to take him to work every day.…”

“…The convenience of travel by car becomes a part of everyday life to and from work, minimizing the inconveniences of horse and buggy travel. A family who regularly relies on a driver for work transportation may be less hesitant to call upon a driver for other sorts of travel (Meyers 1991).…”

“…The shift in occupation from farming to wage labor among Amish across settlements has not impacted disaffiliation (Greksa and Korbin 2002; Meyers 1991); however, empirical studies have not examined the impact of changing occupation on congregational exit. Disaffiliation and migration patterns across settlements is most often studied through the father's occupation; the occupation of the individuals who leave the district is not considered.…”