MA Hate Crimes Decline Overall, But Antisemitic Incidents Surge

Massachusetts reported fewer hate crimes in 2024 than the previous year, but the data reveal troubling trends in bias-motivated incidents targeting specific communities, according to preliminary state statistics released this month.

The state recorded 466 hate crimes in 2024, down from 561 incidents in 2023 — an overall decrease that marked progress in combating bias-motivated violence. However, 2024 still recorded the second-highest number of hate crimes of any year on record.

The decline was driven largely by a significant drop in anti-transgender hate crimes, which fell nearly 42% from 24 incidents in 2023 to 14 in 2024, matching 2022 levels.

But antisemitic hate crimes surged 20.5%, rising to 130 incidents in 2024 compared to 105 in 2023. This represents a dramatic increase from recent years — just 39 such incidents were reported in 2020.

Other religious bias crimes remained relatively low, with 23 incidents targeting various faiths: 10 anti-Islamic incidents, six against "other" religions, two each targeting Catholic and other Christian faiths, two anti-Sikh incidents, and one targeting atheism.

The mixed data come as communities nationwide grapple with rising tensions and bias incidents. While Massachusetts officials noted the overall decrease in hate crimes, the sharp rise in antisemitic incidents reflects broader national concerns about religious tolerance and community safety.

The data underscores the complex nature of hate crime trends, where overall improvements can mask concerning increases targeting specific vulnerable communities.