Maryland Reported 884 Hate Bias Incidents in 2025
State authorities noted a 4.3% decrease in reported hate bias incidents compared to the previous year.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Violence
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Law enforcement agencies across Maryland recorded 884 hate bias incidents in 2025. This total reflects a 4.3% decline from the reports filed throughout 2024.
Why it matters
The annual report compiled by state police provides a comprehensive look at bias-motivated activity, which helps policymakers understand shifts in community safety and target demographics.
Official reports show 303 incidents were verified by investigators during the 2025 cycle. While total reports hit 884, the majority remain unverified following law enforcement review.
The players
Maryland Department of State Police
This agency serves as the primary law enforcement organization responsible for the statewide collection and analysis of hate bias incident records.
Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center
This center works in partnership with state police to compile and interpret data regarding crime and public safety threats across the region.
The details
Montgomery County recorded the highest volume of activity with 351 reported incidents, which accounted for roughly 39.7% of the state total. Among those specific incidents in the county, 77.5% were linked to K-12 school environments, while incidents targeting Hispanic or Latino individuals saw a 69.2% increase statewide.
Timeline
2023 marked the highest number of hate bias incidents recorded in a decade at 952.
2024 served as the baseline year for comparison against 2025 reports.
2025 saw a total of 884 hate bias incidents reported across Maryland.
Legal Context
This reporting follows a structure set by the Maryland hate bias incident reporting standards. The release marks a continued effort by the state to track these metrics in line with institutional transparency mandates.
Residents in Montgomery County, where nearly 40% of reports originated, may see continued school-based safety initiatives following the data on K-12 incidents. Increased awareness regarding specific areas with higher incident rates can help local communities focus their neighborhood watch and security efforts.
The takeaway
The data highlights a significant rise in anti-Hispanic or Latino incidents, which increased by 69.2% despite the overall downward trend in total reports. Monitoring these specific shifts helps community leaders address emerging patterns of bias in their respective areas.
Further reading
Find more information on local trends at Maryland Violence.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WTOP.
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