Hate groups and hate crime

► This paper is the first to investigate the relationship between hate groups and hate crime empirically. ► We find little evidence that hate groups are associated with hate crime in the United States. ► We find somewhat stronger evidence that economic hardship may be related to hate crime. ► Further, we find that demographic variables aren't significantly related to hate crime in the United States. ► Our results cast doubt on the popular perception that hate groups are an important contributor to hate crime in America.