Hate, like most four-letter knuckle tattoos, is a bad look. But that didn’t stop hate crimes in America from reaching their highest level in a decade in 2019, nor the number of hate groups from doubling between 1999 and 2019. But how much hate is there on a state-by-state basis? Well, Best Life crunched the numbers to determine the most hateful state in America.
We used multiple data points to help us measure violent crime, hate crime, groups engaging in hate speech, and more general bias. First, we looked at the percentage of people with first- or second-hand experience of violent crime in the last year in each state, as reported in SafeWise's 2020 State of Safety in the Nation research report. Then, we factored in the number of hate groups operating per capita* according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. Next, we considered the number of hate crimes recorded per capita, using the most recent data from the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). Finally, we added in Paychex's analysis of the amount of workplace discrimination complaints filed to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) per capita.
We then gave each metric a weighted value before running them through our exclusive algorithm to see how each state scored on our 100-point scale Hate Index, where 100 is the most hateful a state could be. Overall, states in the South came out higher on the Hate Index, with six Southern states sitting in the top 10 most hateful places. The Midwest also had two entries, while the Southwest and West each had one state up there. Northeastern states generally scored lower on the Hate Index.
The most hateful state scored highest for employment discrimination, above average for violent crime, and was in the middle of the pack in terms of hate groups per capita. Read on to discover the most hateful state in America and to find out where yours fell in the mix. And for another place where the violent crime rate is high, This Is the Most Dangerous State in America.
*per capita equates to per 100,000 people in all instances.
50 | Iowa
ShutterstockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 12 percent
Hate groups per capita: 0.95
Hate crimes per capita: 0.32
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 5.6
Hate Index Score: 0.00
49 | Maine
iStockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 9 percent
Hate groups per capita: 1.49
Hate crimes per capita: 1.41
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 2.5
Hate Index Score: 3.21
48 | Rhode Island
ShutterstockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 11 percent
Hate groups per capita: 0.94
Hate crimes per capita: 1.61
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 5.6
Hate Index Score: 5.96
47 | New Hampshire
ShutterstockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 5 percent
Hate groups per capita: 2.96
Hate crimes per capita: 1.22
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 4.0
Hate Index Score: 7.06
46 | Idaho
iStockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 2 percent
Hate groups per capita: 4.00
Hate crimes per capita: 1.35
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 4.3
Hate Index Score: 10.63
45 | Utah
iStockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 15 percent
Hate groups per capita: 1.59
Hate crimes per capita: 0.58
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 7.6
Hate Index Score: 13.30
44 | West Virginia
ShutterstockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 8 percent
Hate groups per capita: 2.22
Hate crimes per capita: 1.97
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 7.7
Hate Index Score: 13.97
43 | Wyoming
ShutterstockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 13 percent
Hate groups per capita: 1.73
Hate crimes per capita: 0.98
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 9.1
Hate Index Score: 14.23
42 | Connecticut
ShutterstockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 11 percent
Hate groups per capita: 2.24
Hate crimes per capita: 2.25
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 7.2
Hate Index Score: 20.95
41 | Minnesota
ShutterstockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 9 percent
Hate groups per capita: 2.14
Hate crimes per capita: 1.88
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 17.9
Hate Index Score: 21.77
40 | North Dakota
iStockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 9 percent
Hate groups per capita: 2.64
Hate crimes per capita: 2.36
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 8.6
Hate Index Score: 22.04
39 | South Carolina
ShutterstockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 5 percent
Hate groups per capita: 3.34
Hate crimes per capita: 1.34
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 24.0
Hate Index Score: 24.74
38 | Nebraska
iStockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 10 percent
Hate groups per capita: 3.12
Hate crimes per capita: 2.54
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 4.3
Hate Index Score: 25.57
37 | Pennsylvania
Mira / AlamyResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 8 percent
Hate groups per capita: 2.81
Hate crimes per capita: 0.33
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 33.9
Hate Index Score: 26.85
36 | Kansas
iStockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 10 percent
Hate groups per capita: 1.03
Hate crimes per capita: 2.99
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 25.2
Hate Index Score: 26.90
35 | Oklahoma
ShutterstockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 10 percent
Hate groups per capita: 2.54
Hate crimes per capita: 0.71
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 34.4
Hate Index Score: 31.04
34 | Massachusetts
ShutterstockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 8 percent
Hate groups per capita: 2.18
Hate crimes per capita: 5.73
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 6.4
Hate Index Score: 35.64
33 | Wisconsin
ShutterstockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 18 percent
Hate groups per capita: 2.58
Hate crimes per capita: 1.27
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 1.74
Hate Index Score: 37.43
32 | Michigan
ShutterstockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 4 percent
Hate groups per capita: 2.70
Hate crimes per capita: 4.35
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 25.8
Hate Index Score: 37.62
31 | California
iStockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 16 percent
Hate groups per capita: 2.23
Hate crimes per capita: 2.57
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 16.0
Hate Index Score: 38.00
And for the place most lacking in integrity, This Is the Most Corrupt State in America.
30 | Vermont
ShutterstockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 7 percent
Hate groups per capita: 3.20
Hate crimes per capita: 5.25
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 5.3
Hate Index Score: 38.01
29 | New York
ShutterstockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 13 percent
Hate groups per capita: 2.25
Hate crimes per capita: 3.22
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 19.1
Hate Index Score: 38.89
28 | New Jersey
ShutterstockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 6 percent
Hate groups per capita: 2.36
Hate crimes per capita: 5.46
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 18.6
Hate Index Score: 40.34
27 | Illinois
ShutterstockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 16 percent
Hate groups per capita: 2.04
Hate crimes per capita: 0.54
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 39.5
Hate Index Score: 40.62
And for more on the place that's filled with some scandalous activities, This Is the Freakiest State in America.
26 | Virginia
ShutterstockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 4 percent
Hate groups per capita: 4.23
Hate crimes per capita: 1.91
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 35.2
Hate Index Score: 41.08
25 | Delaware
iStockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 15 percent
Hate groups per capita: 3.11
Hate crimes per capita: 2.26
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 17.4
Hate Index Score: 42.02
24 | Texas
iStockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 16 percent
Hate groups per capita: 2.20
Hate crimes per capita: 1.58
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 31.1
Hate Index Score: 42.30
And for more on the state where people struggle to trust each other, This Is the Most Jealous State in America.
23 | South Dakota
iStockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 13 percent
Hate groups per capita: 4.55
Hate crimes per capita: 2.36
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 6.8
Hate Index Score: 42.68
22 | Montana
ShutterstockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 8 percent
Hate groups per capita: 5.66
Hate crimes per capita: 3.03
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 2.6
Hate Index Score: 43.29
21 | Alaska
ShutterstockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 22 percent
Hate groups per capita: 2.72
Hate crimes per capita: 1.51
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 12.2
Hate Index Score: 43.54
20 | Florida
ShutterstockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 15 percent
Hate groups per capita: 3.15
Hate crimes per capita: 0.53
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 34.8
Hate Index Score: 44.02
And for more on the place where people are full of rage, This Is the Angriest State in America.
19 | Kentucky
iStockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 11 percent
Hate groups per capita: 3.36
Hate crimes per capita: 3.27
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 21.3
Hate Index Score: 45.63
18 | Arizona
iStockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 8 percent
Hate groups per capita: 2.93
Hate crimes per capita: 3.27
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 34.0
Hate Index Score: 45.74
17 | Missouri
ShutterstockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 13 percent
Hate groups per capita: 3.43
Hate crimes per capita: 1.37
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 33.5
Hate Index Score: 46.69
16 | Hawaii
ShutterstockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 11 percent
Hate groups per capita: 2.82
Hate crimes per capita: 4.21
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 22.6
Hate Index Score: 48.01
15 | Oregon
ShutterstockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 14 percent
Hate groups per capita: 3.59
Hate crimes per capita: 4.31
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 5.9
Hate Index Score: 48.36
14 | Nevada
ShutterstockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 15 percent
Hate groups per capita: 2.97
Hate crimes per capita: 1.43
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 38.2
Hate Index Score: 50.49
13 | Colorado
ShutterstockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 6 percent
Hate groups per capita: 3.87
Hate crimes per capita: 3.68
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 33.5
Hate Index Score: 51.44
12 | Maryland
ShutterstockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 18 percent
Hate groups per capita: 3.31
Hate crimes per capita: 0.30
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 38.9
Hate Index Score: 52.12
11 | North Carolina
ShutterstockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 11 percent
Hate groups per capita: 3.08
Hate crimes per capita: 2.40
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 42.4
Hate Index Score: 52.92
10 | Indiana
ShutterstockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 14 percent
Hate groups per capita: 2.99
Hate crimes per capita: 2.06
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 41.0
Hate Index Score: 54.55
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9 | Georgia
ShutterstockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 11 percent
Hate groups per capita: 3.08
Hate crimes per capita: 2.40
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 42.4
Hate Index Score: 54.60
8 | New Mexico
iStockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 14 percent
Hate groups per capita: 0.48
Hate crimes per capita: 6.10
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 48.1
Hate Index Score: 64.84
7 | Washington
ShutterstockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 9 percent
Hate groups per capita: 3.99
Hate crimes per capita: 7.14
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 16.5
Hate Index Score: 66.99
6 | Louisiana
ShutterstockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 20 percent
Hate groups per capita: 4.51
Hate crimes per capita: 0.74
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 39.2
Hate Index Score: 67.78
5 | Ohio
ShutterstockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 24 percent
Hate groups per capita: 2.65
Hate crimes per capita: 4.02
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 24.8
Hate Index Score: 70.70
4 | Arkansas
ShutterstockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 20 percent
Hate groups per capita: 4.98
Hate crimes per capita: 0.32
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 51.7
Hate Index Score: 77.64
3 | Mississippi
iStockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 18 percent
Hate groups per capita: 4.03
Hate crimes per capita: 1.59
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 60.8
Hate Index Score: 80.73
2 | Tennessee
iStockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 17 percent
Hate groups per capita: 5.61
Hate crimes per capita: 1.71
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 44.9
Hate Index Score: 80.76
1 | Alabama
iStockResidents who've experienced violent crime, or knows someone who has: 18 percent
Hate groups per capita: 3.27
Hate crimes per capita: n/a
Workplace discrimination complaints per capita: 62.2
Hate Index Score: 100.00
And for the one state that no one wants to go to, This Is the Most Hated State in America.
