Missouri’s Amish population grew by nearly 15% between 2009 and 2011. That makes Missouri one of the fastest growing Amish states in the country.
Missouri may not be Pennsylvania, Ohio or Indiana … but the Amish growth rate here far outpaces any of those traditional Amish hotspots.
The reason, is real estate. It can cost two and half million dollars for a young Amish family to buy a farm in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, according to Dr. Donald Kraybill, at Elizabethtown College.
"It’s a lot easier to go into small business and make a much smaller investment. Or go to Missouri and maybe you can buy two or three farms for a million and a half," Kraybill said.
The population jumped from 8700 Amish to over 10,000 in just two years. And Kraybill says that number will continue to grow.
"The Amish are coming," Kraybill jokes. "You better go into the horse business and buy and sell horse. Anyway, they are on their way."
Missouri’s Amish growth rate is the 4th highest in the United States.
Jacob McCleland, KRCU
Missouri may not be Pennsylvania, Ohio or Indiana … but the Amish growth rate here far outpaces any of those traditional Amish hotspots.
The reason, is real estate. It can cost two and half million dollars for a young Amish family to buy a farm in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, according to Dr. Donald Kraybill, at Elizabethtown College.
"It’s a lot easier to go into small business and make a much smaller investment. Or go to Missouri and maybe you can buy two or three farms for a million and a half," Kraybill said.
The population jumped from 8700 Amish to over 10,000 in just two years. And Kraybill says that number will continue to grow.
"The Amish are coming," Kraybill jokes. "You better go into the horse business and buy and sell horse. Anyway, they are on their way."
Missouri’s Amish growth rate is the 4th highest in the United States.
Jacob McCleland, KRCU
