Racial Structural Conditions and Anti-Asian Hate Crimes

The present study utilizes a conceptual framework derived from Blau’s structural theory to assess the effects of racial group size, racial heterogeneity, racial inequality, and racial segregation on anti-Asian hate crimes. The analysis is performed using data from California law enforcement agencies (2002–2021) and U.S. census and American Community Survey data. Results show that the sizes of the White and Black populations positively affect anti-Asian hate crimes, while the Hispanic population size has a negative impact. Racial heterogeneity is negatively associated with anti-Asian hate crimes, whereas racial inequality between Whites and Asians has a positive effect. Residential segregation between Whites and Asians reduces anti-Asian hate crime rates, while segregation between Hispanics and Asians increases them. The implications of the findings are discussed.