Hate crimes have skyrocketed in major cities

Most of the country's 10 largest cities saw a major increase in hate crimes in 2022. The increase was at least 22%, with a record 1,889 total cases. It was the second consecutive year that saw an increase in hate crime cases, which are defined as violence derived from the race, color, sexuality, religion or national origin of the victims.

Chicago — the country's third-largest city — had the largest increase at 84.6%, followed by Austin, Texas, at 58.6%. According to the data, Los Angeles — the nation's second-largest city — had the most reported hate crimes: a record 609, with 195 of them classified as anti-black, 98 as anti-gay (male), 91 as anti-Jewish and 88 as anti-Latino.

"Among smaller cities — those with populations of 500,000 to 1 million — Sacramento, Calif., saw the most significant percentage rise in hate crimes (47.4%), followed by Kansas City, Mo. (32.3%)," said Axios in its analysis of the report by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino.

"Black Americans were the most frequently targeted group in many cities, but the study said there were some cities where the LGBTQ+ community, Asian Americans, whites and Jews were the most attacked." The study also shows an increase in attacks on people of Asian origin. "Attacks on Asian Americans have increased since the beginning of the pandemic, as some people blamed them for the coronavirus pandemic," explained Axios.

Despite the increase, the report highlights that other large cities such as Phoenix, San Diego and San Antonio had significant decreases in hate crimes last year.