Amish communities pay income, sales, public school, and property taxes. Paying taxes varies depending on the residing state. Due to religious reasons, the Amish don’t pay Social Security taxes and do not receive Social Security programs or money from unemployment.
Earning renown as skilled entrepreneurs, the Amish generate income from a diverse array of businesses, ranging from carpentry and construction to retail shops and restaurants. While the Amish are most well-known for farming, community members also provide a variety of services including lodgings and furniture-making.
Frequently prioritizing a lifestyle that aligns with their traditional values, consisting of humility and community, the Amish display a preference for limited air travel. This inclination is driven by their steadfast commitment honoring the importance of home and close-knit communities. However when necessary, the Amish are generally allowed to board commercial airlines for their journeys.
The Amish construct a variety of buildings with highly skilled craftsmanship, including houses, churches, and barns. The community offers a range of businesses in construction, featuring sheds, roofing products, porches, and cabinetry.
Despite a common misconception, the Amish can shop at large retail chains and other stores that aren’t Amish-owned. Visitors in Lancaster, PA may see shopping outlets and stores near Amish houses and settlements. You may even find “buggy-spots” right in the parking lot with priority given to horse and carriage transportation.
While the Amish generally aren’t allowed to use electricity in their homes, they are permitted to have batteries and generators. Some uses for batteries include buggies, portable fans, and clocks. There are some Amish communities that also use solar power.
In general, Amish individuals prefer to avoid having pictures taken because it clashes with their focus on humility. The Amish believe that pictures promote individuality and vanity, conflicting with community-focused values and traditional beliefs.
Wedding ceremonies are filled with sermons, hymns, prayers, and scripture readings with a duration of around three hours. A marriage celebration could have hundreds of guests and relatives with day-long activities.
Amish communities aren’t prohibited from using modern medicine and visiting hospitals.
Amish members are permitted to use non-Amish banks and some churches allow the use of debit or credit cards.
Rumspringa is a stage in Amish adolescent years when individuals decide to join the church. It’s a coming-of-age process that involves Amish youths dealing with lighter restrictions on their actions and behavior.
Pennsylvania Dutch is the most commonly used language among the Amish groups in Lancaster County. Amish schooling also teaches English as a means to speak with the non-Amish world.
The Amish don’t typically vote in elections, but a small percentage of Amish people participate in voting during presidential elections. The Amish are more focused and involved in their communities and churches, rather than participating in federal elections.
Looking for more information? Explore the breathtaking scenery of the Amish and PA Dutch countryside, or enrich your learning of Amish culture at home with traditional recipes. Planning a visit to Lancaster? Make your way to a variety of Amish attractions and dive into the best Amish tours in the area.
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things to do
Show at Prima Theatre
We'll Get Back To You marks Prima's first non-musical play, a highly anticipated East Coast premiere showing April 25 - May 10.
stay the night
Tru by Hilton Denver
Check in to Tru by Hilton Denver to enjoy a great location and a ton of natural beauty. We’re nestled amongst the rolling hills and mountains close to Pennsylvania Dutch Amish Country.
special event
Sheep Shearing
Watch sheep shearing demonstrations on May 9th, performed by a professional shearer on Amish Farm & House's 15-acre farm.
