Amish Communities in New Jersey

Yes, a small but established Amish population lives in western and northwestern New Jersey, primarily in Sussex, Warren, and Hunterdon counties. Settlements began in the early 20th century as families migrated from Pennsylvania seeking affordable farmland.

Community Profile

• Affiliation: Mostly Old Order Amish (horse-and-buggy, plain dress, limited technology).
• Occupations: Dairy farming, produce, woodworking, quilting, harness-making, small-scale construction.
• Education: One-room parochial schools through 8th grade; German dialect (Pennsylvania Dutch) spoken at home.
• Interaction: Sell at farmers' markets, roadside stands, and through CSA shares; generally friendly but private.

Visiting Respectfully

• No photos of people without permission (religious objection to graven images).
• Drive slowly past buggies; give wide berth.
• Support their businesses—baked goods, furniture, produce—at marked stands.

The NJ Amish presence remains modest compared to Pennsylvania, Ohio, or Indiana, but it adds a distinctive thread to the Garden State's cultural fabric.