By Drew Adams
Murray, KY – A new study shows Kentucky's Amish population's recent growth rate to be second highest in the nation. The study, from the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies counted Amish population growth from 2006-2010. Senior Fellow at the Young Center, Donald Kraybill says much of the growth can be attributed to Kentucky's neighbors:
"I think the fact that Kentucky is close to some of the old settlements in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana makes it an ideal state. And because Kentucky has a long tradition of agriculture and generally has been Amish friendly in terms of working with new groups that come in, that makes Kentucky a favorable place to go"
The study found Kentucky grew by 90 households, second only to New York which grew by more than 230 households. Kraybill says the Kentucky Amish population continues to grow at a much smaller rate than the four years of the study.