Montgomery County had the most reports statewide, with 351 — 39.7% of the total. The county also accounted for 77.5% of reported hate-bias incidents involving K-12 schools, according to the report.

Verbal intimidation and vandalism or malicious destruction of property were the most commonly reported types of incidents. Schools, homes and public roads were the locations most frequently named. Four ZIP codes — 20852 in Rockville, 21061 in Glen Burnie, 20817 in Bethesda and 20910 in Silver Spring — together accounted for 13.1% of reports statewide.

The Maryland Office of the Attorney General defines a hate-bias incident as a lawful but harmful or offensive act or expression of hostility motivated by bias against a protected class. The definition includes bias based on race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, disability, national origin or homelessness; an incident does not meet the definition if it constitutes a state or federal crime.

Race, ethnicity or ancestry was cited as the motivation in 59.6% of reported incidents. Anti-Black or African American bias remained the most frequently reported motivation, as it has for the past decade. Religious-bias reports fell, though anti-Jewish incidents remained the second-most-reported category.

Reports of anti-Hispanic or Latino bias climbed from 39 in 2024 to 66 in 2025, a 69.2% increase. It was the first time in a decade that this category exceeded reports of anti-gay (male) bias. When the race and gender of victims were known, Black males were the largest identified victim group; white males were the most frequently reported offenders.

The number of reported incidents peaked at 952 in 2023 during the past decade. The latest figures reflect reports to law enforcement, not a count of every bias-motivated incident in the state.