Year 2025. 400,000+ Amish. Not a museum exhibit — a living, growing civilization.
Demographics
Doubling every 20 years. 7 children on average. 85-90% stay (after Rumspringa). Zero immigration — 100% growth from birth rate. By 2050: 1 million. By 2100: 4-5 million (if trend continues).
Economy
$1.6 billion total revenue (estimate). Furniture — $500M+. Dairy farms — $300M+. Construction — $200M+. Market sales (farmers' markets) — $100M+. Tourism (Lancaster, Holmes County) — $2B+ (but mostly goes to 'English'). Unemployment: 0%. Bankruptcies: ~0%.
Adaptation
Amish slowly, carefully adapt. Gas refrigerators instead of ice box. Pneumatic tools (air instead of electricity). Barn phones. Generators for dairy (FDA requirement). Even solar panels (some communities — for charging lanterns, not home).
Challenges
Land getting expensive → migration. Genetic diseases → medical programs. Modern world seeping in → phones, internet among youth. But 330 years of survival speaks for itself.