Located in the rolling hills of northeast Ohio, Holmes County and its contiguous counties (Wayne, Tuscarawas, Coshocton, and Stark) form the largest continuous concentration of Amish residents in the world. With over 35,000 Amish individuals across hundreds of church districts, this region represents a unique cultural heartland.
A Diverse Spectrum of Amish Affiliations
Unlike Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, which is largely homogeneous in church discipline, Holmes County is famous for its extreme diversity of Amish sub-groups living side-by-side. From the ultra-conservative Swartzentruber Amish to moderate Old Order and progressive New Order groups, the region showcases every variation of Anabaptist tradition.
Key Economic Drivers
- Custom Woodworking & Cabinetry: World-renowned solid hardwood furniture production.
- Cheese & Dairy Production: Swiss cheese factories powered by local Amish milk supply.
- Retail & Tourism: Country markets, bakeries, and retail hardware hubs in Berlin and Millersburg.