Data: Federal Bureau of Investigation; Chart: Thomas Oide/Axios
Hate crimes in Iowa increased last year to their highest level in more than a decade, according to FBI data released this week.
Why it matters: The data can help give voice to victimized groups. Plus, experts say the numbers are likely higher.
Hate crimes are widely underreported, the U.S. Department of Justice has acknowledged for years.
The data is voluntarily submitted by more than 18,600 law enforcement agencies across the country, and roughly 20% didn’t participate last year.
By the numbers: Iowa hate crimes increased more than 130% between 2019 and last year, from nine to 21 cases, according to the report.
Eighteen were race-related. Of those, 16 were against Black people, up from five in 2019.
Three incidents were against people who identify as gay or lesbian.
The big picture: Iowa’s data aligns with national trends, as the U.S. saw the highest level of recorded hate crimes in more than a decade with 7,759 incidents in 2020.
Incidents against Black people increased by about 60%, from 2,470 in 2019 to 3,886 last year.
💬 Thought bubble: It's important to recognize the limits of the data, using the information as a possible tool for review or discussion rather than an end-all source.