Politics

This is the US State With the Highest Concentration of Hate Groups: All 50 Ranked

Wikipedia

The first hate group to be formed in the United States was the Ku Klux Klan, which was formed in 1865. Since then hate groups have thrived with new groups being formed often. Hate groups in the US include far-right political parties, neo-Nazi movements, and apolitical protest groups.

As of 2022, there are 1,225 hate groups in the United States, according to the non-profit legal group Southern Poverty Law Center (SLP). These hate groups include those with distinct chapters in cities across the country, such as the Proud Boys, the Oath Keepers, the Ku Klux Klan, and ACT for America. While specific views vary between these and other groups, they are generally all galvanized by curtailing government power or hatred toward individuals of certain races, religions, ethnicities, or sexual orientations. These groups are active in all 50 states, but in some parts of the country, they are far more common than in others. 

24/7 Wall St. identified the states with the most hate groups by using data from the SPLC report The Year in Hate & Extremism 2022. States are ranked by the total number of extremist anti-government and hate groups for every million residents. Population figures used for our calculation are from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community Survey. 

Why This Matters

Open hand raised, Stop Terrorism sign painted, multi purpose concept - isolated on white background
Source: Jakkrit Orrasri / Shutterstock.com

Violent extremism and domestic terrorism are on the rise, not just in the United States, but worldwide. From information released by the FBI, it is clear that domestic terrorism is a real problem. The number of open domestic terrorism cases has more than doubled since 2020. These violent acts are most often perpetrated by individuals who are members of hate groups. At least 67 hate organizations are active in the United States today, many of which are extremely violent. We’re writing this article to give our readers a sense of which places in America have a greater potential for civil unrest. Local racial or political violence has the potential for local economic instability, affecting business and property values. Perhaps even more damaging, if a particular racial, social, or political group sees an American city as unwelcome or even dangerous to them and avoids visiting, working, or moving there, that city’s local businesses, labor pool, and housing market all potentially suffer.

Here are the U.S. states with the highest concentration of hate groups.

50. Louisiana

Source: Wikimedia Commons

In 2022 the state had 1.5 per million people (7 total) in hate groups, compared to #10 most, with 3.2 per million people (15 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 4,624,047
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (3), Neo-Confederate (1)
  • Demographics: 56.9% white; 31.0% Black; 4.3% foreign-born

49. Massachusetts

Popponesset Island, Massachusetts | Popponesset Beach on a fall day
Source: Dale Fornoff / iStock via Getty Images

In 2022 the state had 1.6 per million people (11 total) in hate groups, compared to #34 most, with 2.0 per million people (14 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 6,984,723
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (6), Anti-LGBTQ (2), White Nationalist (1)
  • Demographics: 67.5% white; 6.3% Black; 17.6% foreign-born

48. Kansas

Aerial View of a University in Manhattan, Kansas
Source: Jacob Boomsma / Shutterstock.com

In 2022 the state had 2 per million people (6 total) in hate groups, compared to #46 most, with 1.4 per million people (4 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 2,934,582
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (3), White Nationalist (1)
  • Demographics: 73.4% white; 5.1% Black; 6.9% foreign-born

47. Kentucky

Kentucky | Kentucky?
Source: elzey / Flickr

In 2022 the state had 2 per million people (9 total) in hate groups, compared to #35 most, with 2.0 per million people (9 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 4,509,394
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (3), General Hate (2), Neo-Völkisch (1)
  • Demographics: 82.7% white; 7.1% Black; 4.0% foreign-born

46. Georgia

Augusta Georgia | Savannah River and Augusta, Georgia, USA Aerial
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images

In 2022 the state had 2.2 per million people (24 total) in hate groups, compared to #31 most, with 2.2 per million people (24 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 10,799,566
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (13), White Nationalist (3), Anti-LGBTQ (2)
  • Demographics: 50.2% white; 30.4% Black; 10.0% foreign-born

45. Texas

Houston+Texas | Houston ~ Texas
Source: prayitnophotography / Flickr

In 2022 the state had 2.4 per million people (72 total) in hate groups, compared to #41 most, with 1.8 per million people (52 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 29,527,941
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (39), General Hate (10), Anti-LGBTQ (5)
  • Demographics: 39.4% white; 11.6% Black; 17.2% foreign-born

44. Mississippi

Hattiesburg featuring the Mighty Mississippi, city streets and plantation homes
Source: Queenwannabe / Shutterstock.com

In 2022 the state had 2.4 per million people (7 total) in hate groups, compared to #21 most, with 2.7 per million people (8 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 2,949,965
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (4), White Nationalist (1)
  • Demographics: 55.4% white; 36.0% Black; 2.1% foreign-born

43. New Jersey

Source: King of Hearts, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

In 2022 the state had 2.4 per million people (22 total) in hate groups, compared to #47 most, with 1.3 per million people (12 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 9,267,130
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (16), White Nationalist (2), Anti-Immigrant (1)
  • Demographics: 52.1% white; 12.3% Black; 23.0% foreign-born

42. New Mexico

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

In 2022 the state had 2.4 per million people (5 total) in hate groups, compared to #50 most, with 0.5 per million people (1 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 2,115,877
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (4), White Nationalist (1)
  • Demographics: 34.9% white; 1.7% Black; 9.1% foreign-born

41. California

Santa Barbara California | Buildings Coastline Pacific Ocean Santa Barbara California
Source: bpperry / iStock via Getty Images

In 2022 the state had 2.6 per million people (103 total) in hate groups, compared to #43 most, with 1.7 per million people (65 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 39,237,836
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (57), General Hate (15), Anti-Muslim (8)
  • Demographics: 34.3% white; 5.3% Black; 26.6% foreign-born

40. Alabama

Mobile Alabama | Mobile, Alabama, USA Skyline
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

In 2022 the state had 2.6 per million people (13 total) in hate groups, compared to #24 most, with 2.6 per million people (13 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 5,039,877
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (8), Neo-Confederate (2)
  • Demographics: 64.2% white; 25.8% Black; 3.5% foreign-born

39. New York

New York City | File:20170721 Gotham Shield NYC Aerials-225 medium (cropped).jpg
Source: Public domain / Wikimedia Commons

In 2022 the state had 2.7 per million people (53 total) in hate groups, compared to #40 most, with 1.8 per million people (35 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 19,835,913
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (25), General Hate (12), White Nationalist (4)
  • Demographics: 53.5% white; 13.4% Black; 22.3% foreign-born

38. Illinois

Chicago+Illinois | Chicago, Illinois, USA
Source: pom-angers / Flickr

In 2022 the state had 2.8 per million people (35 total) in hate groups, compared to #37 most, with 1.8 per million people (23 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 12,671,469
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (17), Anti-LGBTQ (4)
  • Demographics: 58.9% white; 13.4% Black; 14.2% foreign-born

37. Michigan

Charlevoix, Michigan | Summer in Northern Michigan
Source: Laurent Fady / iStock via Getty Images

In 2022 the state had 2.9 per million people (29 total) in hate groups, compared to #38 most, with 1.8 per million people (18 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 10,050,811
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (19), White Nationalist (3)
  • Demographics: 72.9% white; 13.2% Black; 6.8% foreign-born

36. Connecticut

Bridgeport+Connecticut | Bridgeport Connecticut Aerial
Source: formulanone / Flickr

In 2022 the state had 3.1 per million people (11 total) in hate groups, compared to #36 most, with 1.9 per million people (7 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 3,605,597
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (7), White Nationalist (1)
  • Demographics: 62.7% white; 9.9% Black; 15.2% foreign-born

35. Oklahoma

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

In 2022 the state had 3.3 per million people (13 total) in hate groups, compared to #30 most, with 2.3 per million people (9 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 3,986,639
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (9), Neo-Völkisch (1)
  • Demographics: 62.8% white; 6.7% Black; 5.8% foreign-born

34. Minnesota

Saint+Paul+Minnesota | Landmark Center, 5th Street, Saint Paul, MN
Source: warrenlemay / Flickr

In 2022 the state had 3.3 per million people (19 total) in hate groups, compared to #44 most, with 1.6 per million people (9 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 5,707,390
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (11), Neo-Völkisch (2)
  • Demographics: 76.9% white; 6.7% Black; 8.5% foreign-born

33. Wisconsin

Wisconsin+skyline+aerial | Milwaukee Aerial Two
Source: formulanone / Flickr

In 2022 the state had 3.6 per million people (21 total) in hate groups, compared to #33 most, with 2.0 per million people (12 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 5,895,908
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (13), Neo-Völkisch (2)
  • Demographics: 79.0% white; 6.1% Black; 5.1% foreign-born

32. Missouri

Missouri | Gateway Arch - St. Louis - Missouri
Source: Gateway Arch - St. Louis - Missouri by Arch_Sam / BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)

In 2022 the state had 3.6 per million people (22 total) in hate groups, compared to #19 most, with 2.8 per million people (17 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 6,168,187
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (12), General Hate (4), White Nationalist (2)
  • Demographics: 76.6% white; 10.7% Black; 4.1% foreign-born

31. Washington

Jersey+City+NJ+bridge+ | IMG_6371a
Source: perspective / Flickr

In 2022 the state had 3.7 per million people (29 total) in hate groups, compared to #25 most, with 2.5 per million people (19 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 7,738,692
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (13), Anti-LGBTQ (3)
  • Demographics: 64.3% white; 3.9% Black; 14.8% foreign-born

30. Nevada

View of downtown Tonopah, Nevada
Source: Famartin / Wikimedia Commons

In 2022 the state had 3.8 per million people (12 total) in hate groups, compared to #17 most, with 2.9 per million people (9 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 3,143,991
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (6), General Hate (2), Neo-Völkisch (1)
  • Demographics: 45.2% white; 8.7% Black; 18.4% foreign-born

29. Iowa

Dubuque+Iowa | Dubuque Iowa
Source: dirkhansen / Flickr

In 2022 the state had 3.8 per million people (12 total) in hate groups, compared to #48 most, with 0.6 per million people (2 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 3,193,079
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (10), White Nationalist (1)
  • Demographics: 83.0% white; 3.5% Black; 5.4% foreign-born

28. Florida

Duck+Key+Florida | Duck Key, Marathon, Florida Keys, Florida, USA
Source: attie / Flickr

In 2022 the state had 4.1 per million people (89 total) in hate groups, compared to #26 most, with 2.4 per million people (53 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 21,781,128
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (54), General Hate (11), Anti-LGBTQ (6)
  • Demographics: 51.1% white; 14.6% Black; 21.2% foreign-born

27. North Carolina

North+Carolina | Raleigh, North Carolina
Source: Raleigh, North Carolina by James Willamor / BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/)

In 2022 the state had 4.1 per million people (43 total) in hate groups, compared to #22 most, with 2.7 per million people (28 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 10,551,162
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (27), General Hate (5), Neo-Confederate (3)
  • Demographics: 60.9% white; 19.9% Black; 8.2% foreign-born

26. Maryland

Cumberland Maryland, Church, City, town
Source: JAIRTELLO / Shutterstock.com

In 2022 the state had 4.1 per million people (25 total)> in hate groups, compared to #39 most, with 1.8 per million people (11 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 6,165,129
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti Government Movement (15), General Hate (4), Neo-Confederate (1)
  • Demographics: 47.8% white; 29.0% Black; 15.9% foreign-born

25. Indiana

Decatur, Indiana | View of Decatur County Courthouse. Indiana, United States.
Source: Wirestock / iStock via Getty Images

In 2022 the state had 4.3 per million people (29 total) in hate groups, compared to #32 most, with 2.1 per million people (14 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 6,805,985
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (16), White Nationalist (3), Neo-Völkisch (2)
  • Demographics: 76.6% white; 8.7% Black; 5.6% foreign-born

24.
Source: Ray Tan / iStock via Getty Images

In 2022 the state had 4.6 per million people (3 total) in hate groups, compared to #12 most, with 3.1 per million people (2 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 645,570
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (2), White Nationalist (1), Neo-Völkisch(0)
  • Demographics: 90.6% white; 1.0% Black; 4.2% foreign-born

23. Ohio

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

In 2022 the state had 4.7 per million people (55 total) in hate groups, compared to #42 most, with 1.7 per million people (20 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 11,780,017
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (35), Anti-LGBTQ (4)
  • Demographics: 76.6% white; 11.8% Black; 5.0% foreign-born

22. Tennessee

Nashville+Tennessee | Nashville, Tennessee
Source: jamiesrabbits / Flickr

In 2022 the state had 4.7 per million people (33 total) in hate groups, compared to #4 most, with 4.0 per million people (28 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 6,975,218
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (12), White Nationalist (4), Neo-Nazi (3)
  • Demographics: 72.1% white; 15.4% Black; 5.3% foreign-born

21. Virginia

Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images News via Getty Images

In 2022 the state had 5 per million people (43 total) in hate groups, compared to #28 most, with 2.3 per million people (20 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 8,642,274
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (28), White Nationalist (5), General Hate (3)
  • Demographics: 59.2% white; 18.0% Black; 12.4% foreign-born

20. West Virginia

Source: Nathan Howard / Getty Images News via Getty Images

In 2022 the state had 5 per million people (9 total) in hate groups, compared to #8 most, with 3.4 per million people (6 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 1,782,959
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (3), Anti-Government Movement (3), Neo-Völkisch (1)
  • Demographics: 90.4% white; 2.8% Black; 1.6% foreign-born

19. Colorado

Source: Michael Ciaglo / Getty Images News via Getty Images

In 2022 the state had 5.3 per million people (31 total) in hate groups, compared to #13 most, with 3.1 per million people (18 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 5,812,069
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (17), Anti-LGBTQ (4)
  • Demographics: 65.2% white; 3.7% Black; 9.8% foreign-born

18. Arkansas

Source: David S. Holloway / Getty Images

In 2022 the state had 5.3 per million people (16 total) in hate groups, compared to #15 most, with 3.0 per million people (9 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 3,025,891
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (9), White Nationalist (3), Neo-Völkisch (1)
  • Demographics: 68.2% white; 14.7% Black; 4.7% foreign-born

17. Arizona

Source: Nathan Howard / Getty Images News via Getty Images

In 2022 the state had 5.4 per million people (39 total) in hate groups, compared to #14 most, with 3.0 per million people (22 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 7,276,316
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (21), Anti-LGBTQ (5), White Nationalist (4)
  • Demographics: 52.0% white; 4.3% Black; 12.6% foreign-born

16. Utah

Source: Karen Ducey / Getty Images News via Getty Images

In 2022 the state had 5.4 per million people (18 total) in hate groups, compared to #49 most, with 0.6 per million people (2 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 3,337,975
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (16), White Nationalist (1)
  • Demographics: 76.0% white; 1.0% Black; 8.3% foreign-born

15. Alaska

Source: Stephanie Keith / Getty Images News via Getty Images

In 2022 the state had 5.5 per million people (4 total) in hate groups, compared to #45 most, with 1.4 per million people (1 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 732,673
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (3), Neo-Völkisch (1)
  • Demographics: 57.9% white; 2.9% Black; 8.1% foreign-born

14. Hawaii

Source: Nathan Howard / Getty Images News via Getty Images

In 2022 the state had 5.5 per million people (8 total) in hate groups, compared to #18 most, with 2.8 per million people (4 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 1,441,553
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (6), Neo-Nazi (1),
  • Demographics: 20.8% white; 1.8% Black; 18.8% foreign-born

13. Pennsylvania

Source: Nathan Howard / Getty Images News via Getty Images

In 2022 the state had 5.6 per million people (72 total) in hate groups, compared to #29 most, with 2.3 per million people (30 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 12,964,056
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (51), White Nationalist (7), Neo-Nazi (3)
  • Demographics: 73.6% white; 10.2% Black; 7.2% foreign-born

12. Oregon

Source: Nathan Howard / Getty Images News via Getty Images

In 2022 the state had 5.7 per million people (24 total) in hate groups, compared to #27 most, with 2.4 per million people (10 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 4,246,155
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (14), General Hate (4), White Nationalist (3)
  • Demographics: 72.0% white; 1.8% Black; 9.7% foreign-born

11. South Carolina

South Carolina | Charleston south Carolina
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

In 2022 the state had 5.8 per million people (30 total) in hate groups, compared to #9 most, with 3.3 per million people (17 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 5,190,705
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (18), White Nationalist (5), Neo-Völkisch (2)
  • Demographics: 62.6% white; 24.9% Black; 5.2% foreign-born

10. Nebraska

Source: Tasos Katopodis / Getty Images News via Getty Images

In 2022 the state had 6.1 per million people (12 total) in hate groups, compared to #1 most, with 4.6 per million people (9 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 1,963,692
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (4), Neo-Nazi (3), White Nationalist (1)
  • Demographics: 76.4% white; 4.6% Black; 7.4% foreign-born

9. Rhode Island

Source: Stephanie Keith / Getty Images News via Getty Images

In 2022 the state had 6.4 per million people (7 total) in hate groups, compared to #20 most, with 2.7 per million people (3 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 1,095,610
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (4), White Nationalist (1)
  • Demographics: 68.9% white; 4.5% Black; 14.5% foreign-born

8. Maine

Source: Andrew Lichtenstein / Corbis News via Getty Images

In 2022 the state had 6.6 per million people (9 total) in hate groups, compared to #16 most, with 2.9 per million people (4 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 1,372,247
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (4), White Nationalist (2), Neo-Völkisch (1)
  • Demographics: 90.0% white; 1.5% Black; 4.1% foreign-born

7. Delaware

Source: Stephanie Keith / Getty Images News via Getty Images

In 2022 the state had 7 per million people (7 total) in hate groups, compared to #5 most, with 4.0 per million people (4 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 1,003,384
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (5), White Nationalist (1)
  • Demographics: 59.3% white; 20.5% Black; 10.1% foreign-born

6. South Dakota

Aerial View of a University in Rapid City, South Dakota during Summer
Source: Jacob Boomsma / Shutterstock.com

In 2022 the state had 8.9 per million people (8 total) in hate groups, compared to #2 most, with 4.5 per million people (4 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 895,376
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (4), White Nationalist (2), Neo-Nazi (1)
  • Demographics: 80.0% white; 1.9% Black; 3.5% foreign-born

5. North Dakota

Aerial View of Grand Forks, North Dakota in Autumn
Source: Jacob Boomsma / Shutterstock.com

In 2022 the state had 10.3 per million people (8 total) in hate groups, compared to #23 most, with 2.6 per million people (2 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 774,948
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (3), Neo-Völkisch (2), White Nationalist (1)
  • Demographics: 82.3% white; 2.9% Black; 4.4% foreign-born

4. New Hampshire

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

In 2022 the state had 10.8 per million people (15 total) in hate groups, compared to #3 most, with 4.3 per million people (6 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 1,388,992
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (8), White Nationalist (2)
  • Demographics: 87.3% white; 1.3% Black; 5.9% foreign-born

3. Montana

Medicine Rocks State Park
Source: Danita Delimont / Shutterstock.com

In 2022 the state had 10.9 per million people (12 total) in hate groups, compared to #6 most, with 3.6 per million people (4 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 1,104,271
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (6), White Nationalist (2)
  • Demographics: 83.8% white; 0.5% Black; 2.2% foreign-born

2. Idaho

Beautiful sunset with colorful orange and purple clouds setting over the natural rock formations of City Of Rocks National Reserve, in Southern Idaho, no people, large jpeg
Source: Guy In Utah / Shutterstock.com

In 2022 the state had 11 per million people (21 total) in hate groups, compared to #11 most, with 3.2 per million people (6 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 1,900,923
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (12), General Hate (2), Neo-Völkisch (1)
  • Demographics: 78.7% white; 0.7% Black; 6.1% foreign-born

1. Wyoming

Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images

In 2022 the state had 15.5 per million people (9 total) in hate groups, compared to #7 most, with 3.5 per million people (2 total) in 2021.

  • Population: 578,803
  • Topmost ideologies: Anti-Government Movement (6), White Nationalist (1)
  • Demographics: 81.5% white; 1.0% Black; 3.4% foreign-born

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