1. Bloomfield, Iowa
Tucked in the rolling hills of southeastern Iowa, Bloomfield has become a magnet for Amish families looking to expand westward. This Davis County town now hosts one of the largest Amish settlements in the state, with roots going back to the 1970s. As farms in Ohio and Pennsylvania became more expensive and crowded, families began buying up land in and around Bloomfield. Today, Amish ownership spans thousands of acres and continues to grow year after year.
Locals are used to sharing the road with buggies and stopping by roadside stands for fresh eggs or handwoven baskets. The Amish community here is known for its carpentry and greenhouse businesses, which draw buyers from across the region. Their presence has brought new life to long-neglected farmland and helped stabilize the local economy. While the Amish don’t seek attention, their impact on Bloomfield is impossible to ignore.
2. Ethridge, Tennessee
Ethridge has become one of the largest Amish settlements in the South, and it didn’t happen overnight. This small town in Lawrence County now hosts a Swartzentruber Amish community, known for their ultra-conservative practices. They began settling here in the 1940s, and over the decades, they’ve purchased large plots of land, setting up sawmills, farms, and roadside produce stands. Many former cattle or tobacco farms have quietly transitioned into Amish ownership.
What’s unique about Ethridge is how it balances tourism with authenticity. While the Amish don’t court attention, local non-Amish residents have built cottage industries around buggy tours and handmade goods. Locals respect the Amish lifestyle, even if it means slower traffic and more rules about Sunday quiet hours. And the Amish, in turn, are buying up neighboring farms at a rate that’s changing the town’s entire landscape.
3. Heuvelton, New York
Heuvelton, located in the remote north of New York state near the Canadian border, has seen a noticeable Amish migration. In recent decades, Amish families from Pennsylvania and Ohio have moved here seeking less crowded conditions and cheaper land. What started as a few families has now turned into a robust settlement with multiple church districts. The area is rural enough to support large-scale farming but close enough to small towns for basic supplies.
Local officials have even noted that the Amish presence is helping keep the town viable as other residents age or move away. The contrast is stark: empty homes bought by large families who immediately bring the land back to life. You’ll find barn raisings, bulk food stores, and even new one-room schoolhouses built in classic Amish style. The pattern is familiar—quiet arrival, steady growth, and soon, dominant land ownership.
4. Smyrna, Maine
If you think of Maine as lobsters and lighthouses, think again—Smyrna has quietly become a northern outpost for the Amish. The community here belongs to the more traditional Beachy Amish-Mennonite group, which arrived in the early 1990s. They were drawn by affordable land and the promise of isolation, something that’s in no short supply in Aroostook County. Over time, they’ve expanded, purchasing multiple tracts of farmland and establishing a local sawmill.
Locals have grown accustomed to horse-drawn buggies and modest clothing, but the change has been significant. The Amish here maintain their own schools and even a phone shanty outside town limits. They’ve essentially brought new life to a town that was on the decline, reversing decades of population loss. It’s a story of quiet transformation—one homestead at a time.
5. Clark, Missouri
Clark, a modest town in central Missouri, is another place where Amish presence has become a driving force in local life. The Amish community here is part of the Old Order, and they’ve built a thriving settlement since the 1950s. Their numbers have grown steadily, and with each generation, they buy more land and expand existing farms. The result is that Amish farms now far outnumber English-owned ones in some parts of the area.
Clark is known among Amish and Mennonite circles for its horse auctions and produce markets, which draw buyers from all over the Midwest. The community’s economic impact can’t be ignored—they’re bringing back trades and skills that had all but vanished. Local roads are built with buggy travel in mind, and businesses stock up on items like lamp oil and cast iron cookware. What began as a small group is now a foundational part of the town’s identity.
6. Summertown, Tennessee
Summertown isn’t just a scenic stop on the way to Nashville—it’s also home to one of the most traditional Amish communities in the state. The Swartzentruber Amish here are known for their strict adherence to old ways: no running water, no reflective triangles on buggies, and minimal interaction with outsiders. They began settling here in the 1970s, and they’ve steadily bought up surrounding land, often at auctions. Unlike some communities, this one rarely sells land outside their group.
That tight grip on property means their footprint just keeps expanding. The town has adjusted, with local stores now offering bulk flour and non-electric tools. Neighbors might not always agree with Amish practices, but they respect the work ethic and craftsmanship. And with more land switching hands each year, it’s clear the Amish presence isn’t slowing down.
7. Unity, Maine
Unity has become a magnet for alternative lifestyles, but the Amish community here adds a layer of old-world tradition. This group is relatively new, arriving in the early 2000s, but they’ve grown quickly by buying up farms that had gone fallow. The town’s agricultural roots made it a natural fit, and Amish families were quick to reestablish gardens, barns, and shops. They’ve even launched a small-scale dairy industry using traditional methods.
People here often see Amish children walking to school or families at work building homes with hand tools. There’s been some tension over building codes and utility easements, but overall, the transition has been smooth. Unity’s Amish are more open to occasional interaction, selling baked goods and furniture to the wider community. Their quiet, steady expansion is changing the face of this small town.
8. St. Ignatius, Montana
Yes, even Montana has Amish, and St. Ignatius is a shining example of western expansion. Nestled in the Mission Valley, this small community was established in the 1990s by Amish families seeking more space and a new start. They were especially drawn by the cheap, fertile land and the slower pace of life. Today, several church districts operate here, and the Amish footprint is hard to miss.
Amish-run businesses now include woodworking shops, greenhouses, and even a small bulk store. Locals appreciate the craftsmanship and low-key neighborly vibe they bring. And while Montana winters can be harsh, these families are used to it, often coming from similar climates in Ohio or Indiana. With more families arriving each year, St. Ignatius is becoming a permanent fixture on the Amish map.
9. Princeton, Kentucky
Princeton, in Caldwell County, is home to a vibrant Amish settlement that’s grown significantly over the last two decades. The Amish here are mostly Old Order and maintain a traditional lifestyle centered around farming and craftsmanship. Their presence is so notable that some roads now have horse-and-buggy signs posted, and new lanes have been carved out for their use. They’ve bought up dozens of properties, turning neglected farms into productive homesteads.
Local farmers markets and auctions have seen a surge in activity thanks to Amish produce and livestock. You’ll also find signs along country roads advertising homemade jams, quilts, and maple syrup. Their strong sense of community has even helped revitalize some rural churches and schools. And as their population grows, so does their influence in shaping the town’s agricultural future.
10. New Wilmington, Pennsylvania
New Wilmington boasts one of the oldest and most conservative Amish settlements in the U.S. The community here was established in the mid-1800s and belongs to the New Order Amish, who are known for slightly more lenient practices like using reflective tape and limited electricity. Over time, their land ownership has steadily increased, with farms often staying in families for generations. When non-Amish neighbors sell, it’s often to other Amish families looking to expand.
The town has embraced the community, with Amish-built furniture and baked goods playing a major role in the local economy. You’ll see buggies alongside SUVs and even joint community events that allow for respectful engagement. Local zoning laws often reflect Amish needs, with allowances made for traditional building styles. Though they’ve always been here, their footprint continues to deepen.
11. LaGrange, Indiana
LaGrange County is home to the third-largest Amish settlement in the country, second only to Holmes County, Ohio, and Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The community spans several towns, but LaGrange is one of its key centers. Amish families here run everything from massive produce auctions to custom cabinetry businesses that ship nationwide. The community is deeply rooted, yet still growing, thanks to high birth rates and continued migration from other settlements.
Driving through LaGrange, you’ll notice rows of laundry flapping in the wind and meticulously tended gardens at every homestead. Tourism plays a role here too, with buggy rides and Amish-themed stores dotting the landscape. But make no mistake—this isn’t just for show. The Amish own a significant chunk of land and businesses and are shaping the future of this region, one generation at a time.
12. Chouteau, Oklahoma
Chouteau might surprise you, but it’s actually home to one of the oldest Amish communities west of the Mississippi. Amish families first settled here in the early 1900s, and their presence has only deepened over time. They’ve carved out a niche with large-scale farms, greenhouses, and construction businesses that serve the wider community. Land ownership continues to shift steadily in their favor as older properties change hands.
Unlike some newer settlements, Chouteau’s Amish are integrated into the local economy in big ways. They sell at markets, run dairy farms, and even participate in limited public events. Their children attend parochial schools, and many families have lived here for generations. It’s not flashy, but the change is unmistakable if you look at old land records compared to today’s.
13. Fort Fairfield, Maine
Fort Fairfield is another unexpected hotspot in Aroostook County, where Amish families have been settling since the late 1990s. The draw? Cheap land, lots of space, and a community looking to revitalize itself. The Amish here are mostly from Pennsylvania and Ohio and have quickly become essential to the local economy.
They’ve opened produce stands, begun timber operations, and reestablished abandoned farms with surprising speed. You’ll see the transformation in rebuilt barns, new fences, and acres of working farmland where there was once overgrowth. Neighbors note how the town feels “lived-in” again after decades of slow decline. One thing’s for sure: the Amish aren’t just visitors—they’re here to stay.
This post Amish Takeover? These 13 U.S. Towns Are Being Bought Piece by Piece was first published on American Charm.
