Anti-Asian hate crimes remain nearly triple pre-pandemic levels

Anti-Asian hate crimes in the U.S. reached 379 incidents in 2024, according to a new analysis of FBI data released on Thursday by Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC) and Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL). The total represents a modest decline from the 407 cases reported in 2023 yet remains nearly three times higher than the pre-pandemic average between 2013 and 2018. The report identifies intimidation and assault as the most common offenses and notes that California, New Jersey and New York recorded the highest numbers of cases.

The organizations found that 2024 was the second worst year on record for hate crimes across all bias categories, with 11,679 incidents reported nationwide. Anti-Asian cases accounted for a consistent share of the national total, reflecting ongoing patterns tied to xenophobia and political rhetoric. The analysis shows that most anti Asian incidents occurred in homes, public sidewalks and community settings such as restaurants and transit hubs, with adults comprising the vast majority of victims. “This report confirms what our communities have long known; anti-Asian hate remains at alarming levels,” said June Lim, director of the Demographic Research Project at AJSOCAL.

Regional data show uneven shifts in anti-Asian hate crimes, with the West experiencing a 3% increase and the Midwest documenting a 54% decline. The report warns that decreases in some areas may reflect gaps in reporting rather than reduced risk, citing language barriers, trust deficits and inconsistent participation by law enforcement agencies. Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities also experienced 29 hate crime incidents, the highest total since the FBI began tracking the category.

The report emphasizes that official totals still underrepresent the true scale of anti-Asian hate, noting significant limitations in the voluntary federal reporting system. It warns that cuts to anti hate programs and rising xenophobic narratives, including those targeting South Asian communities, could suppress reporting further in the coming years. “Current FBI data reporting undercounts the true scope of anti-Asian hate crimes,” said Sim J. Singh Attariwala, director of the Anti Hate Program at AAJC. The organizations urge policymakers to strengthen prevention efforts and expand non law enforcement reporting options to ensure that incidents do not remain unreported.