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September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Everyday Life • Religious Group

Hutterites

Hutterites are a communal Anabaptist Christian group that traces its origins to the Radical Reformation of the 16th century.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

Hutterites are a communal Anabaptist Christian group known for adult baptism, pacifism, and shared ownership of property. Most live in agricultural colonies in western Canada and the northern United States.

What it is

Hutterites trace their origins to the Radical Reformation of the 16th century, taking their name from leader Jakob Hutter. They are one of three main Anabaptist groups, alongside Mennonites and Amish, but are distinguished by their strict practice of communal ownership—often called community of goods—where property and resources are held in common.

Key details

Hutterite communities are organized into self-supporting colonies, typically centered on agriculture. They speak Hutterite German (Hutterisch) and English, and reject infant baptism in favour of believer's baptism. The population is estimated at about 50,000, with the largest numbers in Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.

Why it matters

Hutterites represent a significant religious and cultural minority in Canada, with hundreds of colonies and tens of thousands of residents recorded in census data. Their communal lifestyle and separation from broader society offer a distinctive model of Christian living that continues to adapt while maintaining core Anabaptist values.

In short

  • Hutterites are Anabaptist Christians practising communal ownership and adult baptism.
  • Most live in agricultural colonies in western Canada and the northern US.
  • Population is about 50,000, concentrated in Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.
  • They are historically related to Amish and Mennonites but distinct in their strict community of goods.
Canadian angle

Hutterites are a significant religious and cultural minority in Canada, with large populations in Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. Canadian census reporting has documented hundreds of Hutterite colonies and tens of thousands of residents.

Quick questions

Who are the Hutterites?
Hutterites are a communal Anabaptist Christian group known for adult baptism, pacifism, and shared ownership of property.
Why are they called Hutterites?
The name comes from Jakob Hutter, an Anabaptist leader associated with the group’s early development in the 16th century.
Where do Hutterites live?
Most Hutterites live in colonies in western Canada and the northern United States, especially in agricultural regions.

Sources

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hutterites
    Supports: Origins, Anabaptist identity, communal living, population estimate, and presence in Canada and the United States.
  2. The Canadian Encyclopedia — https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/hutterites
    Supports: Canadian population, colonies, provincial distribution, and status as an Anabaptist group.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hutterites
    Supports: General definition, alternative name Hutterian Brethren, and historical overview.
  4. Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan / University of Regina — https://esask.uregina.ca/tmc_cms/modules/customcode/includes/print_entry.cfm-entryid=734B34DB-1560-95DA-43256F91D95BD174.html
    Supports: Jakob Hutter naming origin, adult baptism, pacifism, and community of goods.
  5. Encyclopedia of the Great Plains — https://plainshumanities.unl.edu/encyclopedia/doc/egp.rel.026.html
    Supports: Settlements in the Great Plains, communal colonies, and approximate membership figures.