From terror attacks to natural disasters, U.S. history is replete with examples of Americans of different backgrounds unifying in the face of hardship. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic will likely not be remembered as such an occasion. The coronavirus, which originated in China, ushered in a surge of violence directed at Asian Americans at a time when hate crimes were already at their highest level in over a decade.
According to the FBI, hate crimes are those motivated by prejudice and committed against victims based on their race, color, religion, or national origin, as well as based on biases of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or gender. There were 8,559 such incidents reported in 2019, and over half of them were cases of assault or intimidation. Here is a look at America’s most peaceful and violent states.
Using data from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the reported incidence of hate crimes in every state. In some states, hate crime rates are more than double the national rate of 2.6 incidents per 100,000 people.
It is important to note that hate crime reporting practices are inconsistent across the country, and some states have far more comprehensive reporting than others. As a result, states with higher hate crime rates typically have dozens of agencies tracking and reporting hate crimes across the entire population, while many of the states with low hate crime rates have only a handful of reporting agencies that cover small segments of the population.
Alabama, for example, had no reported hate crimes in 2019. However, there are only two agencies, covering less than 2% of the population, participating in hate crime reporting in the entire state. Additionally, many of the states with limited reporting are also home to a high concentration of active hate groups, such as the Ku Klux Klan or neo-Nazi organizations. Here is a look at the states with the most hate groups.
Click here to see the reported incidence of hate crimes in every state
Click here to see our detailed methodology
50. Alabama
> Reported hate crimes: 0
> Hate crimes against persons: 0
> Hate crimes against property: 0
> Hate crimes against society: 0
> Hate crime motivations: N/A
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 2; covering 1.7% of the population
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49. Maryland
> Reported hate crimes: 0.3 per 100,000 people (total: 18)
> Hate crimes against persons: 22.2% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 77.8% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 0.0% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 38.9% race; 22.2% religion; 38.9% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 153; covering 100% of the population
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48. Arkansas
> Reported hate crimes: 0.3 per 100,000 people (total: 10)
> Hate crimes against persons: 60.0% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 40.0% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 0.0% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 88.9% race; 0.0% religion; 11.1% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 278; covering 93.2% of the population
47. Pennsylvania
> Reported hate crimes: 0.4 per 100,000 people (total: 50)
> Hate crimes against persons: 60.0% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 40.0% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 0.0% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 68.3% race; 22.0% religion; 9.8% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 1,424; covering 98.3% of the population
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46. Iowa
> Reported hate crimes: 0.4 per 100,000 people (total: 13)
> Hate crimes against persons: 69.2% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 30.8% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 0.0% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 60.0% race; 0.0% religion; 40.0% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 246; covering 99.4% of the population
45. Mississippi
> Reported hate crimes: 0.5 per 100,000 people (total: 15)
> Hate crimes against persons: 33.3% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 60.0% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 6.7% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 42.9% race; 7.1% religion; 7.1% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 42; covering 29.6% of the population
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44. Florida
> Reported hate crimes: 0.6 per 100,000 people (total: 131)
> Hate crimes against persons: 66.4% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 33.6% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 0.0% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 43.2% race; 32.4% religion; 24.3% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 638; covering 97.3% of the population
43. Louisiana
> Reported hate crimes: 0.7 per 100,000 people (total: 33)
> Hate crimes against persons: 57.6% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 27.3% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 15.2% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 34.6% race; 30.8% religion; 26.9% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 137; covering 76.1% of the population
42. Illinois
> Reported hate crimes: 0.7 per 100,000 people (total: 95)
> Hate crimes against persons: 89.5% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 10.5% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 0.0% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 52.3% race; 13.8% religion; 26.2% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 728; covering 95.7% of the population
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41. Oklahoma
> Reported hate crimes: 0.8 per 100,000 people (total: 30)
> Hate crimes against persons: 60.0% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 40.0% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 0.0% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 50.0% race; 17.9% religion; 28.6% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 438; covering 99.7% of the population
40. Wyoming
> Reported hate crimes: 1.0 per 100,000 people (total: 6)
> Hate crimes against persons: 50.0% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 50.0% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 0.0% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 80.0% race; 0.0% religion; 20.0% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 55; covering 88.6% of the population
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39. Utah
> Reported hate crimes: 1.1 per 100,000 people (total: 34)
> Hate crimes against persons: 58.8% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 32.4% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 8.8% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 66.7% race; 16.7% religion; 16.7% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 121; covering 96.0% of the population
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38. Georgia
> Reported hate crimes: 1.2 per 100,000 people (total: 123)
> Hate crimes against persons: 68.3% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 30.9% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 0.8% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 75.5% race; 8.8% religion; 5.9% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 495; covering 87.5% of the population
37. New Hampshire
> Reported hate crimes: 1.3 per 100,000 people (total: 17)
> Hate crimes against persons: 52.9% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 47.1% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 0.0% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 50.0% race; 31.3% religion; 18.8% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 188; covering 96.6% of the population
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36. Indiana
> Reported hate crimes: 1.3 per 100,000 people (total: 87)
> Hate crimes against persons: 72.4% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 26.4% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 1.1% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 62.7% race; 17.3% religion; 18.7% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 214; covering 54.1% of the population
35. Wisconsin
> Reported hate crimes: 1.4 per 100,000 people (total: 83)
> Hate crimes against persons: 61.4% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 30.1% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 8.4% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 52.7% race; 24.3% religion; 6.8% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 437; covering 99.8% of the population
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34. South Carolina
> Reported hate crimes: 1.6 per 100,000 people (total: 82)
> Hate crimes against persons: 57.3% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 32.9% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 9.8% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 52.9% race; 29.4% religion; 10.3% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 405; covering 98.7% of the population
33. Nevada
> Reported hate crimes: 1.7 per 100,000 people (total: 53)
> Hate crimes against persons: 62.3% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 37.7% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 0.0% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 61.4% race; 22.7% religion; 9.1% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 48; covering 99.7% of the population
32. Missouri
> Reported hate crimes: 1.7 per 100,000 people (total: 106)
> Hate crimes against persons: 84.9% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 13.2% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 1.9% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 62.7% race; 15.7% religion; 19.3% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 571; covering 99.0% of the population
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31. Maine
> Reported hate crimes: 1.8 per 100,000 people (total: 24)
> Hate crimes against persons: 83.3% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 16.7% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 0.0% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 52.6% race; 10.5% religion; 36.8% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 134; covering 100% of the population
30. Texas
> Reported hate crimes: 1.9 per 100,000 people (total: 560)
> Hate crimes against persons: 64.5% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 29.6% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 5.9% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 65.8% race; 9.6% religion; 15.6% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 1,059; covering 99.6% of the population
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29. Rhode Island
> Reported hate crimes: 2.0 per 100,000 people (total: 21)
> Hate crimes against persons: 47.6% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 52.4% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 0.0% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 23.5% race; 29.4% religion; 47.1% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 48; covering 99.9% of the population
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28. West Virginia
> Reported hate crimes: 2.0 per 100,000 people (total: 36)
> Hate crimes against persons: 50.0% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 30.6% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 19.4% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 58.1% race; 19.4% religion; 9.7% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 240; covering 87.9% of the population
27. Idaho
> Reported hate crimes: 2.1 per 100,000 people (total: 38)
> Hate crimes against persons: 78.9% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 18.4% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 2.6% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 75.0% race; 4.2% religion; 16.7% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 106; covering 99.7% of the population
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26. Virginia
> Reported hate crimes: 2.2 per 100,000 people (total: 185)
> Hate crimes against persons: 67.6% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 29.2% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 3.2% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 62.6% race; 16.6% religion; 16.6% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 415; covering 100% of the population
25. Minnesota
> Reported hate crimes: 2.2 per 100,000 people (total: 123)
> Hate crimes against persons: 65.9% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 34.1% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 0.0% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 56.7% race; 19.2% religion; 16.3% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 379; covering 98.1% of the population
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24. Tennessee
> Reported hate crimes: 2.2 per 100,000 people (total: 152)
> Hate crimes against persons: 59.2% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 15.8% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 25.0% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 77.8% race; 10.3% religion; 8.5% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 465; covering 100% of the population
23. Alaska
> Reported hate crimes: 2.3 per 100,000 people (total: 17)
> Hate crimes against persons: 82.4% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 17.6% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 0.0% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 63.6% race; 0.0% religion; 36.4% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 33; covering 99.5% of the population
22. North Carolina
> Reported hate crimes: 2.4 per 100,000 people (total: 248)
> Hate crimes against persons: 71.0% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 27.8% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 1.2% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 62.9% race; 20.0% religion; 14.3% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 332; covering 83.3% of the population
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21. South Dakota
> Reported hate crimes: 2.4 per 100,000 people (total: 21)
> Hate crimes against persons: 66.7% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 33.3% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 0.0% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 65.0% race; 15.0% religion; 20.0% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 128; covering 95.9% of the population
20. Connecticut
> Reported hate crimes: 2.4 per 100,000 people (total: 86)
> Hate crimes against persons: 72.1% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 25.6% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 2.3% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 63.2% race; 21.1% religion; 14.5% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 102; covering 94.6% of the population
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19. North Dakota
> Reported hate crimes: 2.6 per 100,000 people (total: 20)
> Hate crimes against persons: 75.0% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 25.0% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 0.0% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 77.8% race; 5.6% religion; 16.7% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 109; covering 100% of the population
18. Delaware
> Reported hate crimes: 2.8 per 100,000 people (total: 27)
> Hate crimes against persons: 63.0% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 37.0% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 0.0% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 45.5% race; 18.2% religion; 31.8% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 63; covering 100% of the population
17. Nebraska
> Reported hate crimes: 2.9 per 100,000 people (total: 57)
> Hate crimes against persons: 49.1% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 33.3% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 17.5% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 82.6% race; 6.5% religion; 6.5% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 130; covering 93.7% of the population
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16. New Mexico
> Reported hate crimes: 3.0 per 100,000 people (total: 63)
> Hate crimes against persons: 68.3% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 30.2% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 1.6% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 60.0% race; 16.0% religion; 16.0% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 23; covering 39.1% of the population
15. California
> Reported hate crimes: 3.1 per 100,000 people (total: 1,221)
> Hate crimes against persons: 68.0% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 32.0% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 0.0% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 51.6% race; 20.5% religion; 23.2% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 737; covering 100% of the population
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14. New York
> Reported hate crimes: 3.2 per 100,000 people (total: 618)
> Hate crimes against persons: 35.4% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 64.6% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 0.0% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 26.8% race; 58.4% religion; 11.9% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 558; covering 97.4% of the population
13. Montana
> Reported hate crimes: 3.3 per 100,000 people (total: 35)
> Hate crimes against persons: 51.4% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 48.6% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 0.0% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 50.0% race; 28.1% religion; 6.3% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 103; covering 98.8% of the population
12. Kansas
> Reported hate crimes: 3.4 per 100,000 people (total: 99)
> Hate crimes against persons: 51.5% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 40.4% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 8.1% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 48.7% race; 34.6% religion; 9.0% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 377; covering 89.6% of the population
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11. Arizona
> Reported hate crimes: 3.5 per 100,000 people (total: 254)
> Hate crimes against persons: 77.6% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 20.9% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 1.6% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 68.4% race; 17.2% religion; 14.4% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 92; covering 87.9% of the population
10. Hawaii
> Reported hate crimes: 3.6 per 100,000 people (total: 51)
> Hate crimes against persons: 90.2% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 7.8% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 2.0% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 73.2% race; 4.9% religion; 22.0% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 01; covering 68.9% of the population
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9. Ohio
> Reported hate crimes: 3.7 per 100,000 people (total: 428)
> Hate crimes against persons: 48.6% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 41.4% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 10.0% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 55.2% race; 7.7% religion; 15.3% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 551; covering 83.2% of the population
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8. Kentucky
> Reported hate crimes: 4.0 per 100,000 people (total: 179)
> Hate crimes against persons: 64.2% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 30.2% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 5.6% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 78.1% race; 8.2% religion; 13.0% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 410; covering 99.8% of the population
7. Colorado
> Reported hate crimes: 4.5 per 100,000 people (total: 257)
> Hate crimes against persons: 73.2% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 26.5% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 0.4% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 55.7% race; 17.1% religion; 22.4% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 221; covering 99.1% of the population
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6. Oregon
> Reported hate crimes: 4.9 per 100,000 people (total: 205)
> Hate crimes against persons: 59.5% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 37.1% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 3.4% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 66.3% race; 16.6% religion; 15.4% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 204; covering 96.2% of the population
5. Michigan
> Reported hate crimes: 5.0 per 100,000 people (total: 495)
> Hate crimes against persons: 73.1% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 22.6% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 4.2% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 72.1% race; 11.8% religion; 10.1% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 638; covering 99.8% of the population
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4. New Jersey
> Reported hate crimes: 5.4 per 100,000 people (total: 478)
> Hate crimes against persons: 42.7% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 57.3% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 0.0% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 53.4% race; 53.0% religion; 13.8% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 556; covering 97.3% of the population
3. Vermont
> Reported hate crimes: 5.9 per 100,000 people (total: 37)
> Hate crimes against persons: 27.0% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 70.3% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 2.7% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 54.5% race; 12.1% religion; 27.3% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 89; covering 100% of the population
2. Massachusetts
> Reported hate crimes: 6.4 per 100,000 people (total: 441)
> Hate crimes against persons: 69.6% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 30.2% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 0.2% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 54.9% race; 26.0% religion; 23.7% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 360; covering 98.3% of the population
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1. Washington
> Reported hate crimes: 8.7 per 100,000 people (total: 664)
> Hate crimes against persons: 77.0% of total
> Hate crimes against property: 21.5% of total
> Hate crimes against society: 1.5% of total
> Hate crime motivations: 61.1% race; 14.0% religion; 21.4% sexual orientation
> Hate crime reporting agencies: 253; covering 99.6% of the population
Methodology
To determine the reported incidence of hate crimes in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data on hate crimes from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report. States were ranked based on the number of reported hate crimes per 100,000 residents in 2019. Data on reported motivation for hate crimes and the overall violent crime rate also came from the FBI. Data on the percentage of the population covered by agencies reporting hate crimes came from the FBI. Supplemental data on the number of active hate groups in every state as of 2020 came from the nonprofit civil rights advocacy group Southern Poverty Law Center.
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