People immigrated to the Middle Colonies for different reasons. Some, such as the Quakers, came to Pennsylvania for religious freedom. Others, such as Germans, immigrated to Pennsylvania for economic opportunities following the Thirty Year's War (1618-1648), which had destroyed much of their land. Some, including the Mennonites and Amish, also came for religious freedom. There was a diversity of religions, which also included Presbyterians and Dutch Calvinists, and people practiced their religions freely.

In addition, the land in the Middle Colonies was generally fertile, unlike the rocky, less fertile land in New England. Therefore, the Middle Colonies drew immigrants who intended to farm and grow crops such as rye and wheat. The port cities of New York and Philadelphia offered opportunities for immigrants. New York was a center of shipping for furs and timber, and it was also a center of manufacturing of materials such as nails and plows made from iron ore.