The document provides background information on the history and population growth of the Amish community in the United States. It traces the origins of the Amish back to 16th century Anabaptist groups in Switzerland and France. Over time, the Amish split from other Anabaptist denominations like the Mennonites. In the 1730s, Amish and other Anabaptist groups began immigrating to Pennsylvania, where the largest populations of Amish reside today. The Amish population has grown steadily, increasing over 12-fold between 1920-2010 as they sought to maintain cultural traditions in America.