Why are there only two Shakers left?

At its height in the 19th century, Shakerism boasted around 5,000 members across 19 villages from New England to Kentucky and Ohio. However, today, only two Shakers remain: Brother Arnold Hadd, 67, and Sister June Carpenter, 86. They live in Sabbathday Lake, Maine, the last active Shaker village, which is a living religious community as well as a museum open to the public. The decline in their numbers is the result of several factors, all related to the Shakers’ unique and stringent lifestyle, which has made it difficult for the community to grow.