FBI: Hate crimes increased 12% in America in 2021

Mar 14, 2023

Karah Rucker Anchor/Reporter

By Karah Rucker (Anchor/Reporter), Stacey Chamberlain (Producer/Editor)

Hate crimes in the U.S. increased by nearly 12% in 2021 compared to 2020, according to newly revised figures by the FBI. 9,065 hate crimes were reported in 2021. 8,120 hate crimes were reported in 2020, marking a 12% increase in hate crimes year-over-year.

In 2020, reports of hate crimes had increased by less than 3%. Of the more than 9,000 crime reports in 2021, more than 12,000 people were victims with some crimes having multiple victims.

The top five targets of hate crimes included African Americans, white people, gay men, Jewish people and Asian Americans.

64% of hate crimes targeted people based on race. Nearly 16% targeted people for their sexual orientation. And 14% targeted people for their religious beliefs.

In December, the FBI released preliminary figures that indicated a decrease in hate crimes rather than a 12% increase. That’s because by December, only 65% of police departments nationwide provided the FBI with data.

The FBI has since added more than 3,000 agencies to their collective data, representing 79% of police agencies covering 91% of the U.S. population.

With more transparent reporting, the newly revised data gives a better break down of hate crimes in America.

Tags: FBI, Hate Crime

HATE CRIMES IN THE U.S. INCREASED BY NEARLY 12% IN 2021 COMPARED TO 2020. THAT’S ACCORDING TO NEWLY REVISED FIGURES BY THE FBI.

9,065 HATE CRIMES WERE REPORTED IN 2021. 8,120 HATE CRIMES WERE REPORTED IN 2020, MARKING A 12% INCREASE IN HATE CRIMES YEAR-OVER-YEAR.

IN 2020, REPORTS OF HATE CRIMES HAD INCREASED BY LESS THAN 3%. OF THE MORE THAN 9,000 CRIME REPORTS IN 2021, MORE THAN 12,000 PEOPLE WERE VICTIMS WITH SOME CRIMES HAVING MULTIPLE VICTIMS.

THE FIVE TOP TARGETS OF HATE CRIMES WERE AGAINST AFRICAN AMERICANS, WHITES, GAY MEN, JEWISH PEOPLE, AND ASIAN AMERICANS.

64% OF HATE CRIMES TARGETED PEOPLE BASED ON RACE. NEARLY 16% TARGETED PEOPLE FOR THEIR SEXUAL ORIENTATION. AND 14% TARGETED RELIGIOUS BELIEFS.

IN DECEMBER, THE FBI RELEASED PRELIMINARY FIGURES THAT INDICATED A DECREASE IN HATE CRIMES RATHER THAN A 12% INCREASE. THAT’S BECAUSE BY DECEMBER, ONLY 65% OF POLICE DEPARTMENTS NATIONWIDE PROVIDED THE FBI WITH DATA.

THE FBI HAS SINCE ADDED MORE THAN 3,000 AGENCIES TO THEIR COLLECTIVE DATA, REPRESENTING 79% OF POLICE AGENCIES COVERING 91% OF THE U.S. POPULATION.

WITH MORE TRANSPARENT REPORTING, THE NEWLY REVISED DATA GIVES A BETTER BREAK DOWN OF HATE CRIMES IN AMERICA.