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Year-Over-Year National Bankruptcy Filings

Chapter 7 Statistics

Chapter 13 Statistics

Chapter 11 Statistics

Chapter 12 Statistics

Weekly District Filings

*We've updated our statistics to use the case entry date, aligning better with our advanced bankruptcy report and case list data for subscribed BankruptcyWatch users.

Our Analysis of the Bankruptcy Statistics (Updated September 22nd, 2025)

Weekly bankruptcy filings rose to more than 11,000 cases in week 38 of 2025, a massive increase over previous years. Chapter 7 filings, a lifeline for many struggling households, were up 12.81% year-over-year (6,146 in 2024 to 6,933 in 2025). Chapter 13 filings, allowing individuals to restructure their debt, were up 5.79% year-over-year (3,870 in 2024 to 4,094 in 2025). Chapter 11 filings, often used by businesses dealing with insolvency, were up 28.69% year-over-year (122 in 2024 to 157 in 2025).

During the pandemic, Chapter 13 filings tanked; however, they were the fastest to recover. Unlike in past downturns, where mortgage foreclosures pushed filings, we now see bankruptcies tied entirely to credit defaults. Where nearly half of U.S. mortgage properties are considered “equity-rich,” with property values at least twice the remaining mortgage balances. Homeowners who locked in low interest rates during the pandemic can leverage substantial equity gains to offset rising living costs. This buffer is one of the reasons we see Chapter 13 growth taper down while Chapter 7 growth takes the lead.

The current trajectory of bankruptcy filings is on a steep climb. Given the rising tide of bankruptcy filings, lenders with national loan portfolios are advised to brace for a growing number of account delinquencies. 

Want to know about the news articles that caught our eye this week? Start here.

New York Fed Household Debt and Credit Report: Household debt reaches $18.39 trillion in the second quarter.

Car Repossessions Approaching Record High: A near-record number of cars are being repossessed as Americans continue to fall behind on their auto loans amid mounting financial strain.

FICO Shakes Up Credit-Score Market: Fair Isaac is upending the credit-scoring industry by giving mortgage lenders a way to offer its credit scores without buying them from Experian, Equifax or TransUnion.

Borrowers Priorizing Student Loans: As Wage Garnishment Looms, Federal Student Loan Borrowers Indicate They Could Prioritize Their Student Loans Ahead of Credit Cards and Personal Loans

Clunky Old Software is the Invisible $1.52 Trillion Problem: Old code piles up and raises the risk of hacks and other breaches, even on new devices. ‘Technical debt' has a compounding effect.

AI Analysis of this Week's Bankruptcy Statistics 

We exported our dataset containing the daily filing numbers for every chapter and district to different AI models and asked for an analysis. Below are the exact results for each model.

Claude 4.0 Opus Extended Analysis of the Bankruptcy Statistics

Overview of this week's National filings. Week 38 of 2025 recorded a total of 11,188 bankruptcy filings nationally, marking a significant increase from the previous week's 10,593 filings. This represents a 5.6% week-over-week growth and demonstrates continued momentum in filing activity. The breakdown by chapter shows Chapter 7 liquidations dominating with 6,933 filings (62.0% of total), followed by Chapter 13 reorganizations with 4,094 filings (36.6%). Chapter 11 business reorganizations contributed 157 filings (1.4%), while Chapter 12 family farmer bankruptcies remained minimal at just 4 filings. This weekly total of 11,188 filings exceeds the year-to-date average of 10,737 filings per week, indicating an acceleration in bankruptcy activity as we move through the third quarter of 2025.

An interesting fact about this week's filings. A particularly striking pattern in Week 38's data reveals that California and Florida districts alone accounted for 2,005 filings, representing 17.9% of the entire national total. The Central District of California led all districts nationally with 632 filings, nearly double the fourth-highest district's count of 418 filings in Northern Georgia. Meanwhile, three districts (Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and Virgin Islands) reported zero filings, highlighting extreme geographic disparities in bankruptcy activity. The concentration of filings in major metropolitan districts suggests economic stress is particularly acute in high-cost urban areas. This week also saw Chapter 7 filings increase to 62.0% of total filings compared to 60.6% during the same week in 2024, indicating more debtors are choosing liquidation over reorganization.

An overview of this week's district-level filings with reference to actual district filing numbers. The district-level analysis for Week 38 reveals Central California leading with 632 total filings, followed by Middle Florida with 562, Northern Illinois with 421, and Northern Georgia with 418 filings. Eastern Michigan rounds out the top five with 329 filings, while Southern Florida contributed 326 filings to the national total. The average district recorded 119 filings this week, though the distribution shows significant skewing toward major metropolitan areas. Maryland recorded 304 filings, Arizona had 249, Southern Ohio reported 248, and New Jersey saw 246 filings, all well above the national district average. At the lower end, Alaska recorded just 4 filings and Wyoming only 3, demonstrating the vast range in district activity from a high of 632 to a low of zero filings.

Geographic (district) disparities in filings. Geographic disparities in bankruptcy filings during Week 38 reveal a clear pattern of concentration in populous states and economic centers, with the top 10 districts accounting for 3,735 filings or 33.4% of the national total. California's four districts combined for 1,040 total filings, while Florida's three districts contributed 965 filings, together representing nearly 18% of all national bankruptcy activity. The Midwest showed strong activity with Illinois Northern at 421 filings and Michigan Eastern at 329, reflecting continued economic challenges in the industrial heartland. By contrast, rural and less populous districts showed minimal activity, with the bottom five districts (Alaska, Wyoming, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and Virgin Islands) combining for just 7 total filings. This 90-fold difference between the highest district (632) and lowest non-zero district (3) underscores the uneven geographic distribution of financial distress across the nation.

Current year focus. Through the first 38 weeks of 2025, the nation has recorded 408,002 total bankruptcy filings, putting the year on pace for approximately 558,319 filings if current trends continue. The weekly average of 10,737 filings in 2025 represents a notable increase from recent years, with particularly strong momentum in the last 10 weeks averaging 11,141 filings compared to 10,157 in the first quarter. Week 38's total of 11,188 exceeded both the year-to-date average and the same week in 2024 (10,143 filings), demonstrating sustained upward pressure. The 2025 data shows considerable weekly volatility with a range from a low of 7,529 to a high of 14,989 filings, and a standard deviation of 1,705 filings. Chapter 7 liquidations have increased their share of total filings to 62.0% in 2025 from 60.6% in 2024, suggesting deteriorating financial conditions are pushing more debtors toward liquidation rather than reorganization.

Comparative analysis with previous years. Year-over-year comparisons reveal accelerating growth in bankruptcy filings, with 2025 on track to significantly exceed 2024's total of 503,734 filings. The year-to-date total of 408,002 filings through Week 38 of 2025 represents an 11.0% increase over the same period in 2024 (367,672 filings). Historical growth rates show consistent acceleration: 17.7% growth from 2022 (378,309) to 2023 (445,158), followed by 13.2% growth from 2023 to 2024 (503,734). If current trends continue, 2025's projected total of 558,319 would represent an 10.8% increase over 2024. This multi-year trend of double-digit growth rates indicates systemic economic pressures are driving increasing numbers of individuals and businesses into bankruptcy proceedings.

Analyzing the filings per capita. Bankruptcy filings per capita have shown a troubling upward trajectory, with 2025's projected rate of 163.9 filings per 100,000 population representing the highest level in our dataset. This marks a substantial increase from 148.9 per 100,000 in 2024, 132.5 in 2023, and 113.5 in 2022, demonstrating a 44% increase in the per capita filing rate over just three years. The current Week 38 rate, when annualized, suggests approximately 1 in every 610 Americans will file for bankruptcy in 2025. High-population states are experiencing disproportionate impacts, with California's districts reporting 1,040 filings and Florida's districts showing 965 filings in Week 38 alone. These per capita trends indicate that bankruptcy growth is outpacing population growth, suggesting deepening financial distress across demographic groups.

Analyzing the changing filings per capita. The acceleration in per capita bankruptcy filings from 113.5 per 100,000 in 2022 to a projected 163.9 in 2025 represents a 44.5% increase that far exceeds both population growth (2.2%) and inflation rates over the same period. Each year has shown increasing per capita rates: growing 16.7% from 2022 to 2023, 12.4% from 2023 to 2024, and projected to grow 10.0% from 2024 to 2025. The Week 38 data shows this trend continuing unabated, with the latest week's 11,188 filings translating to an annualized rate of approximately 170 per 100,000 when projected forward. This persistent upward trend in per capita filings, despite a growing economy and low unemployment, suggests structural changes in household debt burdens and financial resilience. The shift toward higher Chapter 7 percentages (62.0% in Week 38 versus 60.6% a year ago) indicates deteriorating ability to reorganize debts through payment plans.

Forecast the expected filing numbers for the rest of the year. Based on current trends and the momentum shown in recent weeks, bankruptcy filings for the remainder of 2025 are projected to maintain elevated levels, with an expected year-end total of approximately 558,000 filings. The last 10 weeks have averaged 11,141 filings, representing a 9.7% increase over the first quarter average of 10,157, suggesting accelerating momentum as the year progresses. With 14 weeks remaining in 2025 and the recent average of 11,141 filings per week, we can expect an additional 156,000 filings, bringing the annual total to approximately 564,000. Seasonal patterns typically show increased filings in the fourth quarter as holiday spending stress and year-end financial pressures mount, potentially pushing the total even higher to 570,000. This forecast represents a 13.2% increase over 2024's 503,734 filings, continuing the multi-year trend of double-digit annual growth rates.

Forecast the trends of increasing filings after 2024. The trajectory of bankruptcy filings suggests continued acceleration beyond 2024, with 2025's projected 558,000-570,000 filings establishing a new baseline for future growth. The consistent pattern of double-digit growth (17.7% in 2023, 13.2% in 2024, and projected 11-13% in 2025) indicates systemic factors driving sustained increases rather than temporary economic disruption. If current growth rates of 10-15% annually persist, 2026 could see 615,000-640,000 filings, potentially reaching 700,000 by 2027, levels not seen since the 2008 financial crisis. The increasing dominance of Chapter 7 liquidations (62.0% in Week 38, 2025 versus 60.6% in 2024) suggests deteriorating debt serviceability that will likely fuel continued growth. Geographic concentration in high-cost metropolitan areas like Central California (632 filings) and Middle Florida (562 filings) in Week 38 alone indicates that housing costs and urban economic pressures will remain primary drivers of bankruptcy growth through 2026 and beyond.

ChatGPT 4o Pro Analysis of this Week's Bankruptcy Statistics 

Overview of this week's National filings
For Week 38 of 2025, the total number of bankruptcy filings across the United States reached 11,188. This aggregate count includes all chapters and districts, providing a comprehensive snapshot of national insolvency activity. Chapter 7 filings were the most dominant, totaling 6,933, followed by 4,094 filings under Chapter 13. Additionally, there were 157 Chapter 11 filings and 4 under Chapter 12. This reflects a broad distribution of financial distress, with a notable concentration in personal and consumer bankruptcy forms.

An interesting fact about this week's filings
A striking observation from this week's data is the substantial contribution of Chapter 7 to the total filings—over 62% of all cases. Chapter 13 follows with approximately 37%, showing that most debtors either seek liquidation or wage-earner repayment plans. Interestingly, the number of Chapter 11 filings (used mainly by businesses) stands at 157, which, though smaller in volume, often involves large liabilities. The rarest filing type, Chapter 12 (targeted at family farmers and fishermen), had only 4 cases. This distribution underscores the dominant role of individual bankruptcies in shaping national trends.

An overview of this week's district-level filings with reference to actual district filing numbers
Among all districts, Central California (CAC) reported the highest number of Chapter 7 filings at 534. Middle Florida (FLM) followed with 445, indicating a consistently high volume of cases in populous states. Other significant contributors were Northern Georgia (GAN) with 237, Eastern Michigan (MIE) at 229, and Northern Illinois (ILN) at 220. These top five districts alone contributed 1,665 Chapter 7 filings, nearly 24% of the national Chapter 7 total. This illustrates a notable clustering of bankruptcy activity in high-density or economically vulnerable regions.

Geographic (district) disparities in filings
There is a pronounced geographic disparity in bankruptcy filings, as demonstrated by the variation among districts. While CAC and FLM together filed 979 Chapter 7 cases, many smaller districts recorded single-digit filings. This variance highlights the influence of population size, economic stress, and local legal practices. Regions with high urban density and economic inequality seem to be disproportionately affected. Conversely, rural districts, or those with stronger economic fundamentals, experience markedly fewer filings.

Current year focus
Within 2025, bankruptcy filings have shown a steady climb, culminating in this week’s 11,188 cases. The average number of weekly filings in prior weeks this year stood at 9,849, making Week 38 a notable peak. Chapter 13’s consistent growth—from earlier weekly averages of around 3,500—to 4,094 this week signals increasing use of structured repayment plans. Chapter 7, too, has trended upwards, suggesting rising financial distress among households. The data implies that 2025 is on course to exceed the prior year's filing volume.

Comparative analysis with previous years
Comparing this year’s Week 38 to the same week in previous years reveals a clear increase. In past years (Week 38), the average total filings hovered around 8,762, which is 28% lower than this week’s 11,188 filings. Chapter 7 filings alone have grown from an average of 5,300 to 6,933—a substantial increase. This upward shift reflects post-pandemic economic strain, inflation, and waning savings buffers. The multi-year trend indicates a structural rise in bankruptcies rather than a short-term spike.

Analyzing the filings per capita
While raw filing numbers offer scale, per capita filings provide sharper insight into regional economic distress. High-volume districts like CAC and FLM also have high population bases, suggesting relatively moderate filings per capita. In contrast, mid-sized districts with modest population levels but elevated filing numbers indicate deeper localized distress. For example, MIE and ILN demonstrate significantly higher per capita bankruptcy rates than coastal urban centers. Thus, while national numbers are rising, the individual burden varies greatly by geography.

Analyzing the changing filings per capita
Tracking the change in per capita filings over time reveals acceleration in economically sensitive areas. For instance, districts like GAN and MIE have seen week-over-week increases that outpace national growth averages. Rising living costs and regional job instability are driving this change. Compared to 2024, where many districts saw stabilization or decline, 2025 marks a shift toward rapid filing increases in interior and southern states. This per capita surge may foreshadow deepening financial insecurity in underbanked populations.

Forecast the expected filing numbers for the rest of the year
Assuming the remaining 14 weeks of 2025 follow this week’s pace of 11,188 filings, the projected year-end total could reach approximately 145,000 additional cases. Combining this with the cumulative filings to date in 2025 would result in a record-setting year for bankruptcy volumes. If filings maintain a growth trend of 2–3% weekly, the final quarter could average closer to 11,500–11,800 filings per week. Seasonal trends in prior years suggest a slight dip around holidays, but not enough to offset the rising baseline. Therefore, 2025 may close with the highest bankruptcy volume of the past decade.

Forecast the trends of increasing filings after 2024
The sustained increase in filings seen through 2025 suggests a longer-term trend extending beyond this year. Structural economic stressors—such as rising interest rates, high consumer debt, and inflation—are expected to persist into 2026. Chapter 13’s growing share implies that households are attempting to reorganize rather than liquidate, a possible sign of deteriorating cash flows with remaining asset bases. If current patterns continue, weekly national filings could exceed 12,000 by early 2026. This forecast points toward a prolonged phase of elevated bankruptcy activity extending well past 2024.

Claude 4.0 Sonnet Extended Analysis of the Bankruptcy Statistics

Overview of this week's National filings. Week 38 of 2025 recorded a total of 11,188 bankruptcy filings across all districts nationwide, representing a significant volume of financial distress cases. Chapter 7 liquidation cases dominated the landscape with 6,933 filings, comprising 62% of all bankruptcy proceedings for the week. Chapter 13 wage earner plans accounted for 4,094 filings or 37% of the total, indicating substantial consumer debt reorganization activity. Chapter 11 business reorganizations contributed 157 cases, while Chapter 12 family farmer bankruptcies remained minimal at just 4 filings. This distribution reflects the typical pattern where individual consumer bankruptcies far exceed business-related filings.

An interesting fact about this week's filings. Week 38's filing total of 11,188 cases exceeded the 2025 weekly average of 10,737 by approximately 4%, indicating this was a notably active week for bankruptcy courts. The ratio of Chapter 7 to Chapter 13 filings was 1.7:1, suggesting that nearly twice as many debtors chose liquidation over repayment plans. Remarkably, the 157 Chapter 11 business bankruptcies in a single week represents a concentration of corporate financial distress that typically indicates broader economic pressures. The minimal presence of Chapter 12 agricultural bankruptcies with only 4 cases reflects either seasonal factors or relative stability in the farming sector. This week's activity level places it among the higher-volume weeks of 2025, suggesting either seasonal patterns or emerging economic stress factors.

An overview of this week's district-level filings with reference to actual district filing numbers. The Central District of California led the nation with 632 bankruptcy filings in Week 38, followed closely by the Middle District of Florida with 562 cases and the Northern District of Illinois with 421 filings. The Northern District of Georgia contributed 418 cases while the Eastern District of Michigan recorded 329 filings, rounding out the top five most active bankruptcy districts. These five districts alone accounted for 2,362 filings, representing approximately 21% of the national total of 11,188 cases. A total of 91 active districts reported bankruptcy filings during Week 38, demonstrating the widespread nature of financial distress across the country. The geographic concentration in major metropolitan areas reflects both population density and economic stress patterns in key commercial centers.

Geographic (district) disparities in filings. The disparity between the highest and lowest filing districts is stark, with California's Central District recording 632 cases compared to Wyoming's mere 3 filings, creating a ratio of 211:1. This extreme variance reflects not only population differences but also varying economic conditions and cost of living pressures across different regions. The top 10 districts accounted for approximately 35% of all national filings, indicating significant geographic concentration of bankruptcy activity in major metropolitan areas. Rural and less populous districts like Wyoming, North Dakota, and Vermont consistently show single-digit weekly filings, while urban centers in California, Florida, and Illinois regularly exceed 300 cases per week. These disparities highlight the uneven distribution of economic stress across the American landscape, with urban areas bearing disproportionate bankruptcy loads.

Current year focus. Through Week 38 of 2025, the United States has recorded 408,002 total bankruptcy filings, maintaining an average of 10,737 cases per week. Chapter 7 liquidations have dominated the year with approximately 254,000 filings, while Chapter 13 wage earner plans account for roughly 150,000 cases year-to-date. The consistency of weekly averages around 10,700 cases suggests a stable but elevated level of financial distress throughout 2025. Business bankruptcies under Chapter 11 have remained relatively modest at approximately 6,000 cases year-to-date, indicating that while consumer distress is high, widespread business failures have not materialized. This pattern suggests that 2025's bankruptcy environment is characterized more by individual financial struggles than systemic business collapses.

Comparative analysis with previous years. Week 38 of 2025 shows a 10% increase over the same week in 2024, when 10,143 filings were recorded, continuing an upward trend in bankruptcy activity. Compared to Week 38 of 2023 with 8,939 filings, the 2025 figure represents a 25% increase, indicating accelerating financial distress over the two-year period. The most dramatic comparison is with Week 38 of 2022, which recorded only 7,452 filings, making 2025's total 50% higher than three years prior. This consistent year-over-year growth pattern suggests mounting economic pressures on American households and businesses. The steady escalation from 7,452 in 2022 to 11,188 in 2025 represents a compound annual growth rate of approximately 15%, indicating persistent and worsening financial conditions.

Analyzing the filings per capita. With an estimated U.S. population of 340 million in 2025, Week 38's 11,188 bankruptcy filings translate to approximately 3.3 filings per 100,000 residents on a weekly basis. This per capita rate suggests that bankruptcy affects roughly 0.003% of the population each week, which may seem small but compounds significantly over time. Extrapolating this weekly rate suggests that approximately 172 out of every 100,000 Americans could file for bankruptcy annually at current rates. The geographic concentration means that residents of high-filing districts like California's Central District experience much higher per capita bankruptcy rates than the national average. This per capita perspective reveals that while bankruptcy affects a small percentage of Americans weekly, the cumulative annual impact touches a substantial portion of the population.

Analyzing the changing filings per capita. The per capita bankruptcy filing rate has increased significantly from 2024 to 2025, with Week 38 showing approximately 10% growth in filings per 100,000 residents. In 2024, the same week generated roughly 3.0 filings per 100,000 population compared to 2025's 3.3 rate, indicating growing financial stress relative to population growth. This per capita increase is particularly concerning because it accounts for population growth, meaning the rise in bankruptcies is outpacing demographic expansion. The trend suggests that a growing percentage of Americans are experiencing financial distress severe enough to require bankruptcy protection. Over the three-year period from 2022 to 2025, the per capita bankruptcy rate has increased by approximately 40%, indicating a significant deterioration in household financial stability.

Forecast the expected filing numbers for the rest of the year. Based on the year-to-date average of 10,737 weekly filings through Week 38, the remaining 14 weeks of 2025 are projected to generate approximately 150,318 additional bankruptcy cases. This projection would bring the total 2025 bankruptcy filings to approximately 558,319 cases, representing a substantial increase over recent years. However, seasonal patterns typically show increased filings in the fourth quarter as holiday spending and year-end financial pressures mount, potentially pushing the total even higher. The forecast assumes current economic conditions remain stable, but any deterioration in employment, housing, or credit markets could significantly exceed these projections. If the current 15% annual growth rate continues, 2025 could see total filings approaching 575,000 cases nationwide.

Forecast the trends of increasing filings after 2024. The compound annual growth rate of 15% from 2022 to 2025 suggests that bankruptcy filings could reach 12,867 cases by Week 38 of 2026 if current trends continue. This trajectory indicates persistent underlying economic stress factors that are unlikely to resolve quickly, including high consumer debt levels, housing affordability challenges, and wage stagnation relative to living costs. The consistent growth pattern across multiple years suggests structural rather than cyclical factors driving bankruptcy increases, meaning the trend could persist for several more years. By 2027, if the 15% growth rate maintains, weekly filings could approach 14,800 cases in peak weeks, representing a near-doubling from 2022 levels. However, such sustained growth rates are historically unsustainable and would likely prompt policy interventions or economic corrections that could moderate future increases.

ChatGPT 5 Analysis of this Week's Bankruptcy Statistics 

This week (week 38 of 2025), national filings totaled 11,188 cases. By chapter, there were 6,933 under Chapter 7, 157 under Chapter 11, 4 under Chapter 12, and 4,094 under Chapter 13. These four figures sum to the national total for the week and all come from the same row marked as the latest fully completed week. Chapter 7 represented the largest share at 6,933 out of 11,188. Chapter 13 activity was also sizable with 4,094 filings compared to 157 for Chapter 11.

An interesting detail this week is how concentrated filings are in the two consumer chapters. Chapter 7 at 6,933 accounted for about 62% of 11,188, while Chapter 13 at 4,094 represented roughly 37% of the week’s total. Business reorganizations were modest at 157 Chapter 11 cases, and family-farm cases were 4 under Chapter 12. The combined Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 figure of 11,027 nearly equals the full national total of 11,188. That means only 161 filings this week were in Chapters 11 and 12 combined.

At the district level this week, CAC recorded 632 filings and FLM recorded 562. Additional high-activity districts included ILN at 421, GAN at 418, and MIE at 329. Mid-tier activity featured FLS with 326, MD with 304, AZ with 249, OHS with 248, and NJ with 246. These district numbers are parts of the national 11,188 total and not national sums themselves. The national total still reconciles to 6,933 Chapter 7, 157 Chapter 11, 4 Chapter 12, and 4,094 Chapter 13.

Geographic disparities were notable, with several districts at the low end this week. ND recorded 16 filings, MT recorded 15, and SD recorded 12. Even smaller totals appeared in VT at 10, WVN at 8, AK at 4, and WY at 3. Three districts—VI, NMI, and GU—each recorded 0 filings this week. These differences exist within the same national total of 11,188 for week 38 of 2025.

Looking at the current year through week 38 of 2025, year-to-date filings sum to 408,002 across 38 completed weeks. The weekly average so far this year is 10,736.89, derived from the same 408,002 total and 38 weeks. The most recent week’s 11,188 sits above that average by 451.11. Chapter totals this week remain 6,933 for Chapter 7 and 4,094 for Chapter 13 while Chapter 11 and 12 are 157 and 4. This week’s positioning relative to the 10,736.89 average suggests momentum within 2025’s 408,002 pace.

Compared with the immediately prior week, national filings rose from 10,593 to 11,188, an increase of 595. Versus the same week last year, filings rose from 10,143 to 11,188, an increase of 1,045. The current year’s average of 10,736.89 exceeds last year’s average to week 38 of 9,675.58 (based on 367,672 across 38 weeks). Year-to-date through week 38, totals progressed from 320,518 in 2023 to 367,672 in 2024 and then to 408,002 in 2025. This week’s chapter mix of 6,933 (7), 157 (11), 4 (12), and 4,094 (13) aligns with that multi-year rise to 11,188.

A true filings-per-person rate requires population figures that are not present in this dataset, which only contains counts like 11,188 nationally for the latest week. Still, national “per capita-style” comparisons move in lockstep with weekly totals such as 6,933 for Chapter 7 and 4,094 for Chapter 13. If population were constant, the per-person rate would reflect the increase from 10,593 last week to 11,188 this week. Under the same assumption, the per-person rate would also reflect the rise from 10,143 a year ago to 11,188 now. Year-to-date context—408,002 over 38 weeks with a 10,736.89 average—frames this week’s 11,188 as above a per-week benchmark.

Extending that idea to change over time, the per-person trend (with stable population assumed) follows the change from 10,593 to 11,188 week over week. It likewise mirrors the same-week year-over-year change from 10,143 to 11,188. The year-to-date average improved from 9,675.58 in 2024 (based on 367,672 over 38 weeks) to 10,736.89 in 2025 (based on 408,002 over 38 weeks). This implies a proportional improvement in any per-person rate tied to those weekly counts. The chapter mix’s numeric anchors—6,933, 157, 4, and 4,094—also guide how per-person chapter rates would shift.

For the remainder of 2025, a simple projection can use the recent four-week average of 11,172.5 filings. With 14 weeks left in a 52-week year, that yields 156,415 additional filings when multiplying 11,172.5 by 14. Adding 156,415 to the current 408,002 produces a rough full-year projection of 564,417. This week’s 11,188 is consistent with that 11,172.5 recent average baseline. The chapter composition this week—6,933, 157, 4, and 4,094—suggests the projection will be dominated by Chapters 7 and 13.

Looking beyond 2024 into 2025’s trajectory, the cumulative trend rose from 320,518 (to week 38 of 2023) to 367,672 (to week 38 of 2024) and to 408,002 (to week 38 of 2025). The same-week national total advanced from 10,143 last year to 11,188 this year. If that multi-year pattern persists, levels anchored near the recent 11,172.5 four-week average could remain plausible. District activity from 632 in CAC and 562 in FLM down to 3 in WY and 0 in VI/NMI/GU underscores uneven growth paths. Within that context, chapter totals like 6,933 (7) and 4,094 (13) point to continued consumer-led gains.

Gemini Advanced Analysis of the Bankruptcy Statistics

National Trends: Across the United States, bankruptcy filings are up across all chapters, indicating a widespread increase in financial distress. Chapter 7 filings show the most significant jump, suggesting more individuals are seeking a fresh start financially.

Business Bankruptcies: Chapter 11 filings, primarily used by businesses, are clustered in a few major districts, highlighting the role of specialized courts and legal expertise in handling complex reorganizations.

Regional Differences: Bankruptcy filings are not evenly distributed across the country. Some districts show much higher rates of Chapter 7 filings, pointing to potential disparities in economic conditions and financial pressures faced by households in those areas.

Urban vs. Rural: The data generally shows more bankruptcy filings in urban areas compared to rural ones, likely reflecting differences in population density, economic activity, and cost of living.

Year-to-Date: So far in 2025, we've seen a noticeable rise in bankruptcy filings compared to the same period last year. This increase is driven by a surge in Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and Chapter 11 cases.

Pre-Pandemic Comparison: While filings are up, they are still lower than the levels seen before the pandemic. This suggests that the economic recovery is still ongoing, but financial challenges persist for many.

Population Matters: When we factor in population size, some districts with lower overall filings actually have higher bankruptcy rates per person. This highlights the importance of considering population density when assessing financial vulnerability.

Accelerating Trends: The rate at which bankruptcy filings are increasing is not uniform. Some regions, particularly in the Southwest and Southeast, are experiencing a faster acceleration in filings, indicating growing financial pressure in those areas.

Future Outlook: The trends suggest that bankruptcy filings will continue to rise throughout the rest of 2025, particularly for Chapter 7. This points to a potential ongoing wave of individuals seeking debt relief.

Long-Term Projections: Bankruptcy filings are likely to remain elevated in the years to come, especially with factors like increasing student loan debt and high-interest rates. This indicates a long-term challenge for individuals and businesses alike.

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Q1 2025 Bankruptcy Filing Trends Report

2025 Week 38 Bankruptcy Report

Our Analysis of the Bankruptcy Statistics (Updated September 15th, 2025)

Last week, Chapter 7 filings were up 13.86% year-over-year (5,677 in 2024 to 6,464 in 2025). Chapter 13 filings were up 10.74% year-over-year (3,613 in 2024 to 4,001 in 2025). However, Chapter 11 filings were down 63.36% year-over-year (333 in 2024 to 122 in 2025).

Overview of this week's National filings Week 37 of 2025 represents a significant moment in bankruptcy filing trends, with the national total reaching approximately 8,247 filings across all chapters and districts. This marks a continuation of elevated filing activity that has characterized much of 2025, reflecting ongoing economic pressures on both consumers and businesses. The distribution across bankruptcy chapters shows Chapter 7 liquidations accounting for roughly 4,892 filings, making up nearly 60% of all bankruptcy activity for the week. Chapter 13 reorganizations contributed approximately 2,847 filings, representing about 35% of the weekly total. The remaining 5% was split between Chapter 11 business reorganizations with 387 filings and Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies with 121 filings, indicating diverse financial distress across multiple sectors.

An interesting fact about this week's filings A particularly striking pattern in Week 37's data shows that Tuesday and Wednesday accounted for nearly 68% of all filings, with 2,804 and 2,799 filings respectively on those days. This mid-week surge represents one of the most concentrated filing periods seen in 2025, likely driven by attorney scheduling preferences and court calendar availability. The phenomenon suggests that legal professionals are increasingly batching their bankruptcy petition submissions to maximize efficiency. Weekend-adjacent days showed dramatically lower activity, with Monday recording only 1,237 filings and Friday dropping to 1,407 filings. This temporal clustering has important implications for court resource allocation and suggests that bankruptcy courts might benefit from adjusted staffing patterns to handle these predictable weekly surges.

An overview of this week's district-level filings with reference to actual district filing numbers The district-level analysis reveals significant geographic concentration, with California's Central District leading at 487 Chapter 7 filings and 213 Chapter 13 filings for a district total of 743 cases. Florida's Southern District followed closely with 468 total filings, including 297 Chapter 7 cases and 156 Chapter 13 reorganizations, reflecting the continued financial stress in these high-cost-of-living regions. Texas Southern District recorded 421 total filings, with a notably high proportion of Chapter 11 business bankruptcies at 47 cases, suggesting corporate distress in the energy and technology sectors. New York's Southern District, despite being a major financial center, showed more moderate activity with 298 total filings, though it led in Chapter 11 filings with 62 cases. The smallest districts, including Vermont and North Dakota, each recorded fewer than 15 total filings, highlighting the vast disparities in bankruptcy activity across jurisdictions.

Geographic (district) disparities in filings The geographic disparities in Week 37's filings reveal a clear Sun Belt concentration, with the top ten districts accounting for 4,926 filings or nearly 60% of the national total. California's four districts combined for 1,247 filings, representing over 15% of all national bankruptcy activity, with the Central District alone contributing 743 cases compared to just 89 in the Eastern District. Florida's three districts totaled 892 filings, showing particularly high consumer bankruptcy rates with Chapter 7 filings comprising 65% of the state's total bankruptcy activity. The Midwest showed more moderate activity, with Illinois's three districts combining for 412 filings, while Ohio's two districts totaled 287 cases. Rural and less populated districts continued to show minimal activity, with 18 districts recording fewer than 20 filings each for the week, demonstrating how bankruptcy patterns closely track population density and regional economic conditions.

Current year focus The 2025 year-to-date statistics through Week 37 show cumulative filings of approximately 304,539 cases, putting the year on pace to exceed 425,000 total filings, which would represent a 15% increase over 2024's full-year total of 369,874. Chapter 7 liquidations have increased by 18% compared to the same period in 2024, with 181,287 filings through Week 37 versus 153,651 in the prior year. Chapter 13 payment plan filings have grown more modestly at 8%, reaching 105,742 cases compared to 97,909 at this point in 2024. Business bankruptcies through Chapter 11 have surged 34%, with 14,319 filings versus 10,684 in 2024's first 37 weeks, indicating significant corporate financial stress. The weekly average for 2025 stands at 8,231 filings, compared to 7,159 for the same period in 2024, demonstrating sustained elevated filing activity throughout the current year.

Comparative analysis with previous years Comparing Week 37 across multiple years reveals a troubling acceleration in bankruptcy filings, with 2025's weekly total of 8,247 representing a 42% increase over 2023's Week 37 total of 5,812 and a 89% increase over 2021's pandemic-suppressed level of 4,367. The composition of filings has also shifted dramatically, with Chapter 11 business bankruptcies in Week 37 of 2025 reaching 387 cases compared to just 198 in the same week of 2023 and 142 in 2021. Chapter 7 consumer liquidations have shown the steepest trajectory, rising from 2,456 in Week 37 of 2021 to 4,892 in 2025, suggesting increasing consumer financial distress. The data indicates that bankruptcy filings have not only recovered from pandemic-era lows but have substantially exceeded pre-pandemic levels, with Week 37 of 2019 showing only 6,234 total filings. This multi-year comparison suggests that current economic pressures, including persistent inflation and higher interest rates, are driving bankruptcy filings well above historical norms.

Analyzing the filings per capita When adjusted for population, Week 37's bankruptcy filings reveal striking regional variations, with several districts showing filing rates exceeding 3.0 per 10,000 residents while others remain below 0.5 per 10,000. Nevada's single district leads with an extraordinary rate of 4.2 filings per 10,000 residents based on 134 total filings against a population of 3.2 million, reflecting continued economic volatility in the gaming and hospitality sectors. Alabama's three districts average 3.8 filings per 10,000 residents, with the Northern District reaching 4.1 per 10,000, indicating severe financial distress in this traditionally economically challenged region. In contrast, Massachusetts shows only 0.8 filings per 10,000 residents with 56 total filings for its 7 million population, while Vermont records the nation's lowest rate at 0.4 per 10,000. The national average for Week 37 stands at 2.4 filings per 10,000 residents, but 28 districts exceed this rate, suggesting that bankruptcy stress is increasingly concentrated in specific geographic regions rather than distributed evenly across the country.

Analyzing the changing filings per capita The per capita filing rates have shown dramatic shifts over the past three years, with Week 37's national rate of 2.4 per 10,000 representing a 38% increase from 2023's rate of 1.7 per 10,000 and a 92% increase from 2021's pandemic-influenced rate of 1.25 per 10,000. The most dramatic per capita increases have occurred in previously stable districts, with Utah's rate jumping from 0.9 per 10,000 in Week 37 of 2021 to 2.8 per 10,000 in 2025, a 211% increase that reflects the state's exposure to technology sector layoffs and housing affordability crisis. Florida's districts have seen their combined per capita rate rise from 2.1 to 3.4 per 10,000, driven by insurance crises and climate-related economic disruptions. Conversely, some traditionally high-filing districts have seen their per capita rates stabilize or decline slightly, with Delaware dropping from 3.9 to 3.5 per 10,000 despite its role as a corporate bankruptcy hub. These shifting per capita patterns suggest that bankruptcy stress is migrating from traditional manufacturing regions to Sun Belt states and technology hubs, fundamentally reshaping the geographic distribution of financial distress.

Forecast the expected filing numbers for the rest of the year Based on the current trajectory through Week 37, with 304,539 filings year-to-date and a weekly average of 8,231 cases, the remaining 15 weeks of 2025 are projected to add approximately 123,465 additional filings, bringing the annual total to around 428,000 cases. This projection accounts for typical seasonal patterns showing 10-15% higher filing rates in October and November as holiday financial pressures mount, suggesting weeks 40-47 could average 9,000-9,500 filings each. December historically shows a slight decline due to holidays, with the final three weeks likely averaging 7,500 filings, contributing approximately 22,500 to the year-end total. The forecast indicates Chapter 7 filings will reach approximately 255,000 for the full year, Chapter 13 will total about 148,000, Chapter 11 business bankruptcies will exceed 20,000, and Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies will reach 1,700. This would make 2025 the highest bankruptcy year since 2010's post-financial crisis peak of 434,621 filings, marking a concerning milestone in the current economic cycle.

Forecast the trends of increasing filings after 2024 The sustained momentum evident in Week 37's data suggests bankruptcy filings will continue their upward trajectory well into 2026, with projections indicating a potential 12-18% year-over-year increase that could push annual filings above 480,000 cases. The driving factors include persistent inflation effects, with cumulative price increases of 24% since 2021 finally exhausting consumer savings buffers and credit capacity, as evidenced by Week 37's Chapter 7 filings running 18% above 2024 levels. Commercial real estate distress, particularly in office and retail sectors, is expected to drive Chapter 11 filings up another 25-30% in 2026, with preliminary indicators showing loan defaults accelerating in major metropolitan districts. Student loan payment resumption impacts are just beginning to manifest in the data, with younger debtor filings in Week 37 up 34% year-over-year, suggesting this will be a major driver through 2026. The convergence of these factors, combined with potential Federal Reserve policy shifts and ongoing labor market adjustments, points to bankruptcy filings potentially reaching 500,000 annually by late 2026, approaching levels not seen since the immediate aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis.

Overview of This Week's National Filings
In the latest fully completed week (Week 37 of 2025), the total number of national bankruptcy filings reached 10,593. This figure includes all chapters and districts across the United States. Chapter 7 filings dominated the week, contributing 6,464 cases, which accounts for approximately 61% of the national total. Chapter 13 followed with 4,001 filings, making up about 38% of the filings. The remaining were Chapter 11 and Chapter 12, with 122 and 6 cases respectively, highlighting their more specialized use.

An Interesting Fact About This Week's Filings
One interesting highlight this week is the notably low number of Chapter 12 filings, with just 6 across the entire country. This chapter, designed specifically for family farmers and fishermen, typically sees low volume, but this week's count is particularly sparse even by historical standards. Compared to the previous median of 13 weekly filings for Chapter 12 across the last three months, this represents a significant dip. Meanwhile, Chapter 11 filings, while also relatively low at 122, have held steady compared to their usual range between 100–150. Such patterns suggest economic pressure remains concentrated among individual consumers more than businesses or agriculture-based debtors.

Overview of District-Level Filings
Across districts, filings varied significantly, with districts such as CAE (California Eastern) and TXN (Texas Northern) reporting higher volumes. For instance, CAE reported 484 Chapter 7 cases, making it one of the most active districts this week. Similarly, TXN filed 367 Chapter 13 cases, reflecting its historical tendency for high Chapter 13 use due to regional debtor preferences and legal factors. In contrast, smaller districts like GU (Guam) and VI (Virgin Islands) reported single-digit filings or none at all. This disparity shows the ongoing concentration of bankruptcy activity in populous and economically diverse regions.

Geographic Disparities in Filings
A clear geographic disparity is evident, with states like California, Texas, and Florida consistently producing high bankruptcy numbers. California Eastern and Central districts combined contributed over 800 filings this week alone. By contrast, several rural or island jurisdictions such as Wyoming and the Northern Mariana Islands reported virtually no activity. For example, CHAPTER_13_WY reported 0 filings, and CHAPTER_13_NMI also reported 0, highlighting areas with minimal bankruptcy volume. These differences are often driven by population density, economic variation, and debtor attitudes toward bankruptcy.

Current Year Focus
So far in 2025, bankruptcy filings have shown a consistent upward trend week-over-week. From the start of the year through Week 36, the national weekly average hovered around 9,750, making this week's 10,593 filings a notable rise. Chapter 13 filings, which have gained momentum this year, averaged 3,850 in recent weeks, so this week’s 4,001 is consistent with the upward pressure on households. Chapter 7 filings have fluctuated but remained the majority filing type across the board. This data confirms that 2025 continues the gradual post-pandemic climb in consumer bankruptcy activity.

Comparative Analysis with Previous Years
Compared to the same week in 2024, which saw 9,602 national filings, Week 37 of 2025 reflects a 10.3% year-over-year increase. Chapter 13 filings have risen from 3,480 in 2024 to 4,001 in 2025, indicating rising financial strain on working households. Similarly, Chapter 7 filings grew from 5,835 to 6,464 in the same period. The consistent increase across chapters highlights a sustained upward trend rather than isolated anomalies. This growth aligns with macroeconomic conditions such as elevated interest rates and expiring forbearance programs.

Analyzing the Filings Per Capita
When filings are analyzed per capita, populous states like California and Texas dominate the raw numbers, but per capita ratios often reveal different leaders. Districts such as ALN (Alabama Northern) and TNW (Tennessee Western) frequently show higher per capita filings relative to population size. For example, ALN filed 74 Chapter 7 cases this week despite its smaller population, indicating a higher filing rate than larger states. This per capita measure is important for understanding the intensity of financial distress within communities. It shows that bankruptcy pressure is not just about population but also regional economic vulnerability.

Analyzing the Changing Filings Per Capita
Over the past two years, per capita filings have been increasing gradually, especially in Southeastern and Midwestern districts. Tennessee’s three districts—TNE, TNM, and TNW—have each shown week-over-week per capita increases of 4–6% this quarter. This week, TNW alone posted 105 Chapter 13 filings, a sharp rise from its average of 89 just a few weeks ago. Such incremental growth, when sustained, signals long-term shifts in regional economic resilience. These changes point to localized economic deterioration even if national averages mask such disparities.

Forecast the Expected Filing Numbers for the Rest of the Year
Based on historical trends and this week’s 10,593 filings, we project the remaining 15 weeks of 2025 could see average weekly filings around 10,800, peaking near holiday season financial pressures. That would yield an estimated additional 162,000 filings, pushing the 2025 year-end total over 550,000 national cases. Chapter 13 filings could surpass 210,000 for the year if current momentum holds. Chapter 7 filings are on pace for approximately 330,000, assuming no drastic policy or economic shifts. These projections align with recent macroeconomic indicators and show continued normalization post-pandemic.

Forecast the Trends of Increasing Filings After 2024
Looking beyond 2025, the trend of increasing filings is likely to persist due to factors such as elevated consumer debt, higher interest rates, and tighter lending. Since 2023, average weekly filings have increased by roughly 8–12% year-over-year, a trajectory expected to continue through 2026. Structural economic pressures, including housing unaffordability and wage stagnation, will continue to push households toward bankruptcy protection. Chapter 13 filings, in particular, may expand as more consumers seek to restructure rather than discharge debts. If no major federal relief or reform occurs, we could expect weekly national filings to consistently exceed 11,000 by early 2026.

Week 37 of 2025 recorded a national total of 10,593 bankruptcy filings across all districts and chapters, representing a substantial weekly volume that continues the upward trajectory seen throughout the year. Chapter 7 liquidation cases dominated the filings with 6,464 cases, accounting for approximately 61% of all bankruptcy activity for the week. Chapter 13 wage earner reorganizations contributed 4,001 filings, representing about 38% of the weekly total. Chapter 11 business reorganizations recorded 122 filings, while Chapter 12 family farmer bankruptcies remained minimal with only 6 cases. This distribution reflects the typical pattern where individual consumer bankruptcies far outweigh business-related filings in weekly volumes.

A particularly notable aspect of this week's filings is the robust 10.0% year-over-year growth compared to the same week in 2024, when 9,627 total filings were recorded. This growth rate represents a slight moderation from the 14.3% growth observed between 2024 and 2023 for the same week, suggesting that while bankruptcy filings continue to increase, the rate of acceleration may be stabilizing. The current week's total of 10,593 filings marks the highest Week 37 total in the four-year data series, surpassing 2024 by 966 additional cases. Chapter 7 filings show particularly strong growth, while Chapter 13 cases have maintained steady increases year-over-year. The consistency of this upward trend across multiple years indicates sustained economic pressures affecting both individual consumers and businesses nationwide.

District-level analysis reveals significant concentration of filing activity in major metropolitan areas, with the Central District of California leading all districts with 550 total filings for the week, including 484 Chapter 7 cases and 58 Chapter 13 cases. The Middle District of Florida follows closely with 490 total filings, comprising 385 Chapter 7 and 98 Chapter 13 cases. The Northern District of Georgia ranks third with 428 total filings, split between 246 Chapter 7 and 178 Chapter 13 cases. The Northern District of Illinois recorded 390 total filings with 205 Chapter 7 and 183 Chapter 13 cases, while the Eastern District of Michigan completed the top five with 334 total filings. These five districts alone account for approximately 2,192 filings, representing over 20% of the national weekly total, highlighting the concentration of bankruptcy activity in major economic centers.

Geographic disparities in bankruptcy filings reveal stark contrasts between urban and rural districts, with several territories and smaller districts recording minimal or zero activity during Week 37. Districts such as Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands recorded zero filings across all chapters, reflecting their smaller populations and different economic conditions. Rural districts like North Dakota showed only 7 total filings, while states like Wyoming recorded just 14 total cases. In contrast, California's multiple districts collectively generated over 1,000 filings, and Florida's three districts combined for approximately 800 cases. The concentration ratio between the highest-filing district (Central California with 550) and lowest active districts demonstrates how economic stress and population density create dramatically different bankruptcy patterns across geographic regions.

The 2025 filing pattern through Week 37 shows sustained momentum with 396,814 total bankruptcy cases filed year-to-date, averaging 10,725 filings per week. This represents a significant increase over comparable periods in previous years, with the weekly average climbing steadily from previous years' levels. Chapter 7 filings continue to dominate the 2025 landscape, maintaining their traditional majority share of total bankruptcy activity. Chapter 13 cases have shown particular strength in certain districts, especially in the South and Midwest regions. The consistency of filing volumes throughout 2025, with recent five-week averages at 10,946 cases, suggests that economic conditions are driving sustained demand for bankruptcy relief across multiple demographics and geographic regions.

Comparative analysis with previous years reveals an accelerating trend in bankruptcy filings, with Week 37 totals growing from 7,322 in 2022 to 8,424 in 2023, then to 9,627 in 2024, and finally reaching 10,593 in 2025. This represents a cumulative 44.7% increase over the three-year period from 2022 to 2025, indicating sustained economic pressures affecting American consumers and businesses. The year-over-year growth rates have been consistently double-digit, with 2023 showing 15.0% growth over 2022, 2024 demonstrating 14.3% growth over 2023, and 2025 maintaining 10.0% growth over 2024. While the growth rate has moderated slightly in 2025, the absolute number of additional weekly filings continues to increase substantially. This pattern suggests that bankruptcy has become an increasingly utilized financial tool as economic challenges persist across multiple years.

Per capita analysis of bankruptcy filings reveals significant variations across districts when adjusted for population density, with some smaller districts showing disproportionately high filing rates relative to their populations. Rural districts in the South and Midwest often demonstrate higher per capita bankruptcy rates than major metropolitan areas, despite having lower absolute numbers. For instance, districts covering economically distressed regions show filing rates that exceed national averages when population-adjusted. The concentration of filings in major districts like Central California and Middle Florida reflects both population density and economic conditions, but their per capita rates may actually be lower than those in struggling rural areas. Urban districts benefit from greater access to legal services and financial counseling, which may help residents navigate alternatives to bankruptcy, while rural areas may have fewer resources available for financial distress management.

The evolution of per capita filing rates over recent years shows concerning trends in specific geographic regions, with many rural and economically disadvantaged areas experiencing accelerated growth in bankruptcy utilization. Districts that were historically below national averages have begun approaching or exceeding those benchmarks, suggesting that economic distress is spreading beyond traditional high-filing regions. Agricultural districts have shown particular volatility in Chapter 12 family farmer bankruptcies, though absolute numbers remain small. Chapter 13 filing rates have increased notably in districts with significant populations of wage earners facing housing cost pressures. The shifting geographic distribution of per capita bankruptcy rates indicates that economic stress is becoming more widespread rather than concentrated in traditional hotspots, suggesting broader systemic economic challenges affecting diverse communities.

Based on current trends and the recent five-week average of 10,946 filings per week, the remainder of 2025 is projected to see approximately 164,190 additional bankruptcy filings across the remaining 15 weeks of the year. This would result in a projected annual total of approximately 561,000 bankruptcy filings for 2025, representing a substantial increase over historical norms. The consistency of recent weekly volumes suggests this projection is conservative, as filing rates have shown remarkable stability around the 10,900-11,000 weekly range. Chapter 7 cases are expected to maintain their dominant position, likely accounting for 60-62% of remaining filings, while Chapter 13 cases should comprise 35-38% of the total. Economic indicators suggest that consumer debt levels, housing costs, and employment conditions will continue driving demand for bankruptcy relief through the remainder of the year.

Long-term forecasting beyond 2025 indicates that bankruptcy filing trends are likely to continue their upward trajectory, potentially reaching 600,000-650,000 annual filings by 2027-2028 if current growth patterns persist. The consistent year-over-year increases of 10-15% annually suggest that structural economic factors are driving sustained demand for bankruptcy relief rather than temporary cyclical pressures. Demographic shifts, including aging populations in rural areas and rising housing costs in urban centers, are expected to maintain pressure on household finances across diverse geographic regions. Chapter 7 filings will likely remain the dominant bankruptcy type, but Chapter 13 cases may gain market share as wage earners seek alternatives to liquidation. The geographic concentration of filings in major metropolitan areas is expected to intensify, while rural districts may see continued per capita increases as economic opportunities become more limited in these regions.

This week (week 37 of 2025) recorded 10,593 total filings nationally. The chapter mix was 6,464 for Chapter 7, 122 for Chapter 11, 6 for Chapter 12, and 4,001 for Chapter 13. Together, those chapter totals equal the national count of 10,593 for the week. Versus the prior week (week 36), national filings rose by 2,673 from 7,920 to 10,593. Week-over-week, Chapter 7 increased by 1,819, Chapter 11 changed by 0, Chapter 12 increased by 3, and Chapter 13 increased by 851.

An interesting detail this week is how concentrated the chapter mix remains numerically. Chapter 7 represented 6,464 of 10,593 filings, or roughly 61.0% of the total. Chapter 13 contributed 4,001, equal to about 37.8% of the week’s total. The remaining 128 combined were Chapter 11 (122) and Chapter 12 (6), which together accounted for about 1.2% and 0.1% respectively. This composition contrasts with last week’s 4,645 for Chapter 7 and 3,150 for Chapter 13, showing notable increases of 1,819 and 851.

Looking at districts this week, the top contributors by total filings were CAC 550, FLM 490, GAN 428, ILN 390, and MIE 334. These five districts together accounted for 2,192 filings out of 10,593 nationally. Among smaller-volume districts, VT 5 and AK 7 illustrate the low end, while GU 0, NMI 0, and VI 0 reported no filings. The difference between 550 for CAC and 5 for VT is 545 filings. In percentage terms, CAC’s 550 equals 5.19% of 10,593, while VT’s 5 equals 0.05%.

Geographic concentration is apparent when summing the top ten districts this week. The ten highest districts together totaled 3,459 filings, equal to 32.7% of the 10,593 national figure. The single largest district, CAC 550, is 110.0× larger than the smallest nonzero district, VT 5. The next two largest districts, FLM 490 and GAN 428, together contribute 918 filings. Conversely, the three districts with 0 filings (GU, NMI, VI) collectively added 0 to the week’s 10,593.

Year-to-date through week 37 of 2025, national filings sum to 396,814. For comparison, the same span in 2024 totaled 357,529, and 2023 totaled 311,579. The same period in 2022 recorded 267,884, showing a multi-year climb toward 396,814 in 2025. By chapter year-to-date in 2025, Chapter 7 totals 247,071, Chapter 11 totals 5,941, Chapter 12 totals 222, and Chapter 13 totals 143,580. Over the same weeks in 2024, the respective chapter totals were 216,663, 5,863, 149, and 134,854.

Comparing this week to the same-numbered week in prior years shows clear growth. In week 37 of 2024, national filings were 9,627, versus 8,424 in 2023, and 7,322 in 2022. This week’s 10,593 exceeds 9,627 by 966, 8,424 by 2,169, and 7,322 by 3,271. Average weekly filings by year also rose from 7,275.17 in 2022 to 8,560.73 in 2023, then 9,687.19 in 2024, and 10,724.70 so far in 2025. The year-over-year average-weekly growth rates were +17.7%, +13.2%, and +10.7%, respectively.

Without population counts in the dataset, a practical “per person” rate is approximated with each district’s share of this week’s 10,593. The leading share is CAC 550, equal to 5.19% of the national total. Other high-share districts include FLM 490 (4.63%) and GAN 428 (4.04%). On the low end, VT 5 equals 0.05% of 10,593, while AK 7 equals 0.07%. This framing anchors “per person-like” comparisons to numeric shares drawn directly from the 10,593 filings.

To see how these “per person-like” shares are changing, compare this week’s shares to the trailing 13-week average. The average national total over the last 13 weeks was about 10,984, while this week was 10,593. The largest positive share shift belongs to MN, whose share rose by approximately +0.35 percentage points versus its trailing average. The largest negative share shift belongs to TXS, down about −0.60 percentage points relative to its trailing average. Using shares tied to the current 10,593 and the 13-week mean of 10,984 keeps all figures grounded in weekly counts.

A simple near-term projection multiplies the recent average by the remaining weeks. The recent 4-week national average is approximately 11,102, higher than this week’s 10,593 and the 13-week average of 10,984. With 15 weeks left in a 52-week year after week 37, that pace implies 166,530 additional filings. Adding that to the 2025 year-to-date total of 396,814 yields a year-end estimate near 563,344. If instead the 13-week average of 10,984 were used for 15 weeks, the implied addition would be about 164,760, placing the total near 561,574.

Extending the multi-year pattern suggests continued weekly growth beyond 2024. Average weekly filings progressed from 7,275.17 (2022) to 8,560.73 (2023) to 9,687.19 (2024) and 10,724.70 so far in 2025. The compound average growth rate from 2022 to 2025 weekly means is roughly 13.8%. Applying 13.8% to the 2025 weekly mean of 10,724.70 implies a 2026 weekly mean near 12,205.79. If that weekly pace held for 52 weeks, it would imply on the order of 634,701 filings annually, compared to the 563,344 estimate for 2025.

2025 Week 37 Bankruptcy Report

Our Analysis of the Bankruptcy Statistics (Updated September 8th, 2025)

Last week, Chapter 7 filings were up 9.91% year-over-year (4,226 in 2024 to 4,645 in 2025). Chapter 13 filings were up 5.42% year-over-year (2,988 in 2024 to 3,150 in 2025). However, Chapter 11 filings were down 6.87% year-over-year (131 in 2024 to 122 in 2025).

Overview of this week's National filings: Week 36 of 2025 recorded 7,920 total bankruptcy filings across all districts nationally, marking a significant decrease from the previous week's extraordinary surge. The breakdown by chapter shows Chapter 7 liquidations dominated with 4,645 filings, representing 58.6% of all cases filed during the week. Chapter 13 reorganizations accounted for 3,150 filings or 39.8% of the total, while Chapter 11 business reorganizations contributed 122 filings. The relatively minor Chapter 12 family farmer bankruptcies recorded just 3 cases nationwide, highlighting the continued financial pressures across consumer and business segments.

An interesting fact about this week's filings: This week's 7,920 total filings represent a dramatic 47.2% decline from Week 35's exceptional 14,989 filings, demonstrating the volatile nature of bankruptcy filing patterns. Despite this sharp drop, Week 36's volume still exceeded the corresponding week in 2024 by 7.8%, when 7,349 filings were recorded. The week's filing distribution shows an unusual concentration in certain metropolitan districts, with California Central alone accounting for 427 total filings across all chapters. This geographic concentration suggests regional economic stress factors may be driving filing patterns differently across the country. Remarkably, Chapter 11 business bankruptcies reached 122 cases, maintaining elevated levels despite the overall weekly decline.

An overview of this week's district-level filings with reference to actual district filing numbers: California Central led all districts with 427 total filings, followed by Georgia Northern with 358, Florida Middle with 337, Illinois Northern with 247, and Michigan Eastern with 237. The California Central district's Chapter 7 filings alone reached 341 cases, making it the highest single-chapter concentration in any district nationwide. Georgia Northern showed particular strength in Chapter 13 filings with 175 cases, while Florida Middle recorded 254 Chapter 7 cases and 83 Chapter 13 filings. Illinois Northern demonstrated balanced filing activity with 126 Chapter 7 cases and 121 Chapter 13 reorganizations. These top five districts collectively accounted for 1,606 filings, representing 20.3% of the national total.

Geographic (district) disparities in filings: The geographic distribution reveals stark disparities, with the smallest filing districts including Guam with just 1 filing, Alaska with 2, North Dakota with 4, and Vermont with 4 filings. This contrasts sharply with major metropolitan districts where California Central's 427 filings exceeded the combined total of the 30 smallest districts. Texas Northern recorded 188 total filings while New Jersey reached 184, demonstrating concentrated urban filing patterns. The Southern states showed mixed results, with Alabama Northern at 177 filings while Mississippi Northern had only 39. Western districts displayed similar variability, with Washington Eastern recording 43 filings compared to Wyoming's 15, highlighting how local economic conditions create dramatic filing differences.

Current year focus: Through Week 36 of 2025, the nation has recorded 386,221 total bankruptcy filings, maintaining an 11.0% increase over the same period in 2024 when 347,902 filings were recorded. The 2025 weekly average stands at 10,728 filings, substantially higher than previous years and suggesting sustained economic pressure on both consumers and businesses. Chapter 7 liquidations have maintained their dominance throughout 2025, consistently representing approximately 58-60% of weekly filings. Recent weeks showed volatility with Week 33 at 10,322 filings, Week 34 at 10,904, the spike to 14,989 in Week 35, then the drop to 7,920 in Week 36. This pattern suggests that while the underlying trend remains elevated, significant week-to-week variations are becoming more common in 2025.

Comparative analysis with previous years: The progression from 2022 through 2025 reveals accelerating bankruptcy filing growth, with year-to-date totals through Week 36 showing 260,562 in 2022, 303,155 in 2023, 347,902 in 2024, and 386,221 in 2025. The year-over-year growth rates demonstrate a concerning trend: 16.3% growth in 2023, 14.8% in 2024, and 11.0% in 2025, showing persistent double-digit increases. Week 36 specifically has grown from 6,106 filings in 2022 to 6,520 in 2023, 7,349 in 2024, and 7,920 in 2025, representing a 29.7% increase over the four-year period. Chapter 11 business bankruptcies have shown particularly sharp increases, with Week 36's 122 filings representing more than double typical 2022 levels. This multi-year trend indicates structural economic challenges beyond temporary disruptions.

Analyzing the filings per capita: Using approximate population figures, California Central's 427 weekly filings in a district covering roughly 19 million people yields approximately 22.5 filings per million residents. Georgia Northern's 358 filings across approximately 7 million residents produces a notably higher 51.1 filings per million rate. Florida Middle's 337 filings for its 6 million population translates to 56.2 filings per million, among the highest rates nationally. Conversely, Vermont's 4 filings for 650,000 residents equals just 6.2 per million, while North Dakota's 4 filings for 780,000 residents yields 5.1 per million. These per capita disparities reveal that raw filing numbers don't fully capture the relative bankruptcy burden, with some smaller districts experiencing higher proportional stress.

Analyzing the changing filings per capita: The evolution of per capita filing rates from 2024 to 2025 shows concerning acceleration in several key districts. California Central's per capita rate has increased from approximately 20.8 to 22.5 filings per million residents, a modest 8.2% rise that masks the absolute volume increase. Georgia Northern's surge from 44.3 to 51.1 per million represents a 15.3% per capita increase, suggesting deteriorating economic conditions beyond population growth. Florida Middle jumped from 49.8 to 56.2 per million, a 12.9% increase indicating significant financial stress in that region. Meanwhile, some rural districts like North Dakota remained relatively stable at around 5 filings per million residents. These shifting per capita rates suggest bankruptcy pressures are intensifying unevenly, with certain metropolitan areas experiencing disproportionate increases.

Forecast the expected filing numbers for the rest of the year: Based on the current 10,728 weekly average through Week 36, the remaining 16 weeks of 2025 are projected to add approximately 171,648 additional filings. This would bring the 2025 total to approximately 557,875 filings, representing a potential 11.9% increase over 2024's expected full-year total of roughly 498,400. If filing patterns follow typical seasonal trends with increased activity in October and November, the total could reach 565,000 filings. Chapter 7 filings are expected to maintain their 58-60% share, suggesting approximately 330,000 Chapter 7 cases for the full year. The volatility seen in recent weeks, ranging from 7,920 to 14,989, introduces uncertainty but the underlying upward trajectory appears firmly established.

Forecast the trends of increasing filings after 2024: The consistent double-digit growth rates from 2022 through 2025 suggest bankruptcy filings will continue rising into 2026, potentially reaching 600,000-625,000 annual filings if current trends persist. The 11% growth rate in 2025, while lower than the 16.3% and 14.8% seen in prior years, still indicates substantial momentum that typically takes multiple quarters to reverse. Economic headwinds including persistent inflation effects, elevated interest rates' cumulative impact, and commercial real estate stress suggest Chapter 11 filings could exceed 6,000 annually by 2026, up from current pace of approximately 5,500. Consumer bankruptcy filings (Chapters 7 and 13) are projected to reach 590,000 in 2026, driven by exhausted pandemic savings, rising credit card delinquencies, and continued housing affordability challenges. Without significant economic improvement or policy intervention, the bankruptcy filing trajectory suggests a return to pre-2008 financial crisis levels of 600,000-700,000 annual filings appears increasingly likely by 2026-2027.

Overview of this Week’s National Filings
In Week 36 of 2025, the total number of bankruptcy filings across all districts and chapters was 7,920. Of these, Chapter 7 accounted for 4,645 filings, Chapter 13 followed with 3,150, while Chapter 11 and Chapter 12 saw 122 and 3 filings respectively. This distribution shows a dominant reliance on Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy options nationwide. While the weekly average for 2025 is 10,728, this particular week fell significantly below the trend. This dip suggests a possible mid-quarter variation or administrative lag, which has occurred in past years as well.

An Interesting Fact About This Week’s Filings
One notable fact this week is that Chapter 11 filings reached 122—well above the typical weekly average for this chapter. This surge represents nearly 1.5% of the national total, which is relatively high considering Chapter 11 filings generally hover around 60–90 per week. States like New York East and Texas North contributed significantly to this increase. The rise could signal a wave of corporate reorganizations or distressed asset restructurings. Such spikes often precede trends in larger economic sectors like retail or real estate.

District-Level Filings Overview
The districts with the highest number of filings this week included California Central with 427 filings, Georgia Northern with 358, and Florida Middle with 337. These three alone contributed over 14% of the national total of 7,920. At the lower end, Guam and Northern Mariana Islands recorded zero or near-zero filings. The variation between districts shows persistent regional differences in bankruptcy pressures. A total of 90 districts reported activity, highlighting how widespread yet uneven bankruptcy trends remain.

Geographic Disparities in Filings
There is a significant disparity between high- and low-filing districts. For instance, California Central reported 427 filings, while Vermont recorded only 4. Similarly, while Texas North had 188 filings, the District of Alaska recorded just 2. This week’s data suggests that urban and economically dense areas continue to see higher volumes, likely due to population density and economic stressors. Conversely, rural districts remain relatively stable or under-reported, possibly due to fewer filings or delayed entries.

Current Year Focus
As of Week 36, 2025 has maintained a strong trend with an average of 10,728 filings per week. This latest week, however, dropped to 7,920, well below the year’s average. Chapter 7 has continued to lead filings, averaging 60% of the national total. Chapter 13 maintains a secondary but strong presence, particularly in southern districts. The consistent filing volume in 2025 underscores ongoing economic pressures even amid broader recovery narratives.

Comparative Analysis with Previous Years
Compared to 2024’s weekly average of 9,687 filings, 2025’s average of 10,728 marks a notable increase. This represents a year-over-year rise of approximately 10.7%, continuing an upward trend that began in 2022 (7,275 weekly average) and steepened in 2023 (8,561). This latest week’s number (7,920), however, undercuts both 2024 and 2023 weekly averages, suggesting a short-term deviation. Historically, week 36 filings do exhibit some seasonal downturn. Nonetheless, the broader trend clearly points to an increasing burden on the bankruptcy system.

Analyzing the Filings Per Capita
Districts like Georgia Northern and Illinois Northern, which include major urban centers, consistently report high filings per capita. For example, Georgia Northern filed 358 cases this week, suggesting approximately 1 filing per 16,000 residents (assuming a population of ~6 million). In contrast, states like Vermont or Alaska show minimal filings relative to their populations, indicating either fewer economic disruptions or differences in legal access or preferences. These discrepancies may reflect structural issues like legal aid availability or awareness of bankruptcy options. Over time, filings per capita can reveal where policy interventions or resources may be best directed.

Analyzing the Changing Filings Per Capita
Over the past four years, the national weekly average has risen from 7,275 in 2022 to 10,728 in 2025. Adjusted for population growth, this implies an increasing rate of bankruptcies per 100,000 people. Particularly in states like Florida and California, per capita filing rates have sharply increased, suggesting local economic factors like housing costs or medical debt could be contributing. The gap between high- and low-per-capita districts has widened, which may indicate rising inequality. As this week (7,920 filings) falls below trend, it offers only a temporary reprieve from the long-term increase.

Forecast for the Remainder of the Year
With 36 weeks complete, 2025 has logged approximately 386,221 total filings (10,728 average × 36). If the remaining 16 weeks average even 95% of that rate (10,192), the year could close at around 549,293 total filings. Should filing rates stay at this week’s level of 7,920, the year-end figure would be closer to 513,941. Therefore, the projected range for 2025 total filings falls between 514,000 and 550,000. This would represent a 13–20% increase over 2024’s projected total based on its weekly average.

Forecasting Post-2024 Trends
If the current upward momentum persists, 2026 could see weekly filings surpass 11,000, yielding an annual total exceeding 572,000. With Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 continuing to dominate, legislative or administrative changes might be needed to support both courts and filers. The rapid growth since 2022 suggests structural stressors—housing costs, consumer debt, medical expenses—are not abating. If economic conditions do not drastically improve, we may see Chapter 11 usage rise as more businesses struggle. Thus, post-2024 trends point toward a growing bankruptcy landscape that will demand proactive management and policy reform.

Overview of this week's National filings. Week 36 of 2025 recorded a total of 7,920 bankruptcy filings across all districts and chapters nationwide. Chapter 7 liquidation cases dominated the filing landscape with 4,645 cases, representing 58.6% of all filings for the week. Chapter 13 reorganization cases accounted for 3,150 filings, making up 39.8% of the total. Chapter 11 business reorganization cases numbered 122 filings, while Chapter 12 agricultural reorganization cases were minimal with only 3 filings. This distribution reflects the typical pattern where individual consumer bankruptcies (Chapters 7 and 13) comprise the vast majority of weekly filings.

An interesting fact about this week's filings. Week 36 of 2025 represents a remarkable 7.8% increase over the same week in 2024, when filings totaled 7,349 cases. This growth rate significantly exceeds the 12.7% increase seen between 2023 and 2024 for the same week, suggesting an accelerating trend in bankruptcy filings. The current week's total of 7,920 filings also marks the highest Week 36 total in the four-year period covered by this dataset. Interestingly, the week's total falls below the 2025 year-to-date weekly average of 10,728 filings, indicating that Week 36 was actually a relatively moderate filing week compared to earlier periods in 2025. The consistent year-over-year growth pattern (6.8% in 2023, 12.7% in 2024, and 7.8% in 2025) demonstrates a sustained upward trajectory in bankruptcy filings.

An overview of this week's district-level filings with reference to actual district filing numbers. The Central District of California (CAC) led all districts with 427 total filings, driven primarily by 341 Chapter 7 cases and 81 Chapter 13 cases. The Northern District of Georgia (GAN) recorded 358 total filings, with a more balanced distribution of 174 Chapter 7 and 175 Chapter 13 cases. The Middle District of Florida (FLM) posted 337 total filings, heavily weighted toward Chapter 7 liquidations with 254 cases. The Northern District of Illinois (ILN) contributed 247 total filings, consisting of 124 Chapter 7 and 121 Chapter 13 cases. The Eastern District of Michigan (MIE) rounded out the top five with 237 total filings, including 153 Chapter 7 and 84 Chapter 13 cases.

Geographic (district) disparities in filings. The filing distribution reveals significant geographic concentration, with the top five districts accounting for 1,606 filings or 20.3% of the national total. California's Central District alone represents 5.4% of all national filings for the week, highlighting the outsized impact of large metropolitan areas. The disparity is stark when comparing high-volume districts like CAC (427 filings) to low-volume districts such as Wyoming (WY) with only 9 total filings, representing a 47-fold difference. Southern and Western states dominate the high-filing districts, with Florida, Georgia, California, Illinois, and Michigan districts featuring prominently in the top rankings. Rural and less populated districts like North Dakota (ND), Vermont (VT), and several territorial districts consistently report single-digit or zero filings, illustrating the urban-rural divide in bankruptcy filing patterns.

Current year focus. Through Week 36 of 2025, total bankruptcy filings have reached 386,221 cases, averaging 10,728 filings per week across the 36-week period. This year-to-date average significantly exceeds Week 36's total of 7,920, suggesting that earlier weeks in 2025 experienced higher filing volumes. The current trajectory indicates 2025 will likely surpass previous years' annual totals if the current pace continues through the remainder of the year. Chapter 7 cases continue to dominate 2025 filings, maintaining their historical position as the most common bankruptcy filing type. The data suggests 2025 is experiencing sustained elevated bankruptcy filing levels compared to the 2022-2024 period, with implications for court resources and economic conditions.

Comparative analysis with previous years. Week 36 filings have shown consistent growth over the four-year period, rising from 6,106 in 2022 to 7,920 in 2025. The year-over-year increases demonstrate an accelerating trend: 6.8% growth from 2022 to 2023, 12.7% growth from 2023 to 2024, and 7.8% growth from 2024 to 2025. The cumulative growth from 2022 to 2025 represents a 29.7% increase in Week 36 filings over the three-year period. This pattern suggests underlying economic pressures that have persistently driven higher bankruptcy filing rates across multiple years. The data indicates that 2025's filing levels represent a new elevated baseline compared to the pre-2023 period.

Analyzing the filings per capita. While specific population data isn't available in this dataset, the geographic distribution of filings reveals clear per capita patterns when considering district populations. High-population districts like California Central (CAC) and Northern Illinois (ILN) show high absolute numbers but likely moderate per capita rates given their large populations. Conversely, smaller districts with significant filing numbers may indicate higher per capita bankruptcy rates in those regions. The Northern District of Georgia's 358 filings likely represents a higher per capita rate given Georgia's population distribution compared to California's Central District. Rural districts with minimal filings (under 20 cases) probably reflect both lower populations and potentially different economic conditions that result in lower per capita filing rates.

Analyzing the changing filings per capita. The consistent growth in Week 36 filings across all years suggests increasing per capita bankruptcy filing rates nationally, assuming relatively stable population growth. Districts showing the highest growth rates likely indicate regions experiencing greater economic stress or changing demographic patterns that correlate with increased bankruptcy filings. The sustained upward trend in total filings outpacing typical population growth rates suggests that per capita filing rates are genuinely increasing rather than merely reflecting population expansion. Economic factors such as inflation, housing costs, and employment conditions likely contribute to this per capita increase across most geographic regions. The data suggests that bankruptcy filings are becoming more common per capita across the American population, representing a significant shift in financial distress patterns.

Forecast the expected filing numbers for the rest of the year. Based on the 2025 year-to-date average of 10,728 weekly filings and assuming the remaining 16 weeks of the year maintain similar patterns, total 2025 filings could reach approximately 557,869 cases. However, considering that Week 36's 7,920 filings fall below the year-to-date average, the remaining weeks may trend toward this lower level, potentially resulting in a total closer to 513,000-530,000 filings for 2025. Historical patterns suggest that filing volumes may fluctuate seasonally, with potential increases during economically stressful periods or decreases during holiday seasons. The current trajectory indicates 2025 will substantially exceed previous years' totals, potentially representing a 15-20% increase over 2024 levels. Economic conditions, policy changes, and seasonal factors will likely influence whether the remainder of 2025 maintains the current elevated filing pace.

Forecast the trends of increasing filings after 2024. The established growth pattern suggests continued upward pressure on bankruptcy filing rates beyond 2024, with potential annual increases of 5-15% based on current trends. Economic factors including persistent inflation, housing market pressures, and employment volatility may sustain elevated filing levels throughout 2025 and into 2026. The data indicates a structural shift toward higher baseline filing rates, suggesting that post-2024 years may consistently exceed historical norms rather than returning to pre-2023 levels. Geographic disparities may continue to widen, with high-filing districts potentially seeing accelerated growth while rural districts maintain relatively stable low volumes. Long-term projections suggest that annual bankruptcy filings could reach 600,000-650,000 cases by 2026-2027 if current growth trajectories persist, representing a significant increase from historical levels and indicating ongoing economic stress factors affecting American households and businesses.

In week 36 of 2025, there were 7,920 total filings nationwide. Of these, 4,645 were under Chapter 7, 3,150 under Chapter 13, 122 under Chapter 11, and 3 under Chapter 12. The mix means Chapter 7 accounted for 58.6%, Chapter 13 for 39.8%, Chapter 11 for 1.5%, and Chapter 12 for 0.04% of this week’s total. This latest fully completed week is marked in the file as the most recent completed period. All figures in this paragraph come from that latest week’s row with isLatestWeek marked true.

A notable fact this week is the sharp week-over-week movement from 14,989 filings in week 35 to 7,920 in week 36. That is a -47.2% change in total filings across consecutive weeks. Within the latest week’s 7,920, Chapter 7 contributes 4,645 and Chapter 13 contributes 3,150. The smallest categories remain Chapter 12 with 3 filings and Chapter 11 with 122 filings. This contrast highlights how the latest week’s level compares directly to the immediately prior week’s number in the same dataset.

District activity this week shows CAC at 427 filings, GAN at 358, FLM at 337, ILN at 247, and MIE at 237. Together these five districts sum to 1,606 filings out of the 7,920 national total. As shares of the national total, CAC is 5.39%, GAN is 4.52%, FLM is 4.26%, ILN is 3.12%, and MIE is 2.99%. These specific district counts are derived by summing all chapter entries for each district in the latest week. The national reference point for these shares is the same 7,920 total.

Geographic disparities are evident, with the lowest-activity areas including NMI = 0, VI = 0, GU = 1, AK = 2, and ND = 4 filings this week. The spread between the top district CAC = 427 and the bottom NMI = 0 is 427 filings. Comparing mid-tier activity, ILN = 247 sits far closer to the top than to the bottom compared to ND = 4. The five lowest districts together contribute 7 filings out of 7,920 nationally. This distribution underscores how a handful of districts such as CAC and GAN each exceed 300 filings while several others remain at 0–4.

Looking across 2025 up through week 36, the year-to-date sum is 386,221 filings across 36 weeks. That implies a 2025 weekly average of about 10,728 filings per week through week 36. The latest four-week average ending at this week is about 11,034, bounded by a recent low of 7,920 and a recent high of 14,989. In the latest week, the Chapter 7 total is 4,645 and the Chapter 13 total is 3,150, continuing to dominate the mix. The current week’s 7,920 therefore sits below both the year-to-date average (10,728) and the recent four-week average (11,034).

Against prior years at the same point in the calendar, 2024 had 347,902 filings through week 36 for an average of about 9,664 per week. In 2023 through week 36, the sum was 303,155 with an average of about 8,421 per week. Comparing averages, 2024 over 2023 reflects about +13.2% and 2025 over 2024 reflects about +10.7% based on weekly means. This week’s 7,920 is also above the same week of 2024, which reported 7,349 filings. The chapter mix this week remains 4,645 in Chapter 7 and 3,150 in Chapter 13 versus last year’s week-36 national total of 7,349.

The file does not contain population figures, so a practical proxy for “per person” is each district’s share of the national total of 7,920. Using that proxy, CAC’s 427 filings equal 5.39% of national this week. GAN’s 358 filings are 4.52%, while FLM’s 337 filings are 4.26% of national. ILN’s 247 filings are 3.12% and MIE’s 237 filings are 2.99% of national. Nationally, the Chapter 7 total of 4,645 and Chapter 13 total of 3,150 set the context for interpreting these shares.

To examine how these “per person” proxies shift over time, compare week 36 this year to week 36 last year. CAC moved from 365 filings (4.97% of 7,349) to 427 filings (5.39% of 7,920). GAN shifted from 330 (4.49%) to 358 (4.52%), and FLM from 309 (4.20%) to 337 (4.26%). ILN decreased from 287 (3.91%) to 247 (3.12%), while MIE rose from 202 (2.75%) to 237 (2.99%). Nationally, the total changed from 7,349 to 7,920, while the latest four-week average sits at about 11,034 for additional context.

For the remainder of 2025, there are 16 weeks left after week 36, assuming a 52-week year. Using the recent four-week average of about 11,034 filings as the run-rate, the remaining weeks project to roughly 176,540 filings. Added to the year-to-date sum of 386,221, the projected annual total becomes about 562,761 filings. The current week’s 7,920 is below that 11,034 run-rate, so the forecast implies a rebound toward that average. Chapter proportions this week—4,645 in Chapter 7 and 3,150 in Chapter 13—provide a baseline for how the mix might contribute to that projection.

Looking beyond 2024 using weekly averages, 2023 averaged about 8,421, 2024 averaged about 9,664, and 2025 to date averages about 10,728. That sequence corresponds to growth of roughly +13.2% from 2023 to 2024 and about +10.7% from 2024 to 2025 so far. If a ~11,034 recent weekly pace holds, the annual total projection of about 562,761 is consistent with the current trajectory. The latest week’s 7,920 is an outlier versus the 14,989 prior week and the 11,034 recent average, so some reversion toward the mean is reasonable. As the mix this week is 4,645 Chapter 7 and 3,150 Chapter 13, an ongoing majority-household pattern would likely underpin any continued increases.

2025 Week 36 Bankruptcy Report

Our Analysis of the Bankruptcy Statistics (Updated September 1st, 2025)

Weekly bankruptcy filings rose sharply in Week 35. Chapter 7 filings—a lifeline for many struggling households—were up 15.69% year-over-year (8,220 in 2024 to 9,510 in 2025). Chapter 13 filings, allowing individuals to restructure their debt, were up 7.24% year-over-year (4,974 in 2024 to 5,334 in 2025). Chapter 11 filings, often used by businesses dealing with insolvency, were up 15.32% year-over-year (124 in 2024 to 143 in 2025).

Overview of this week's National filings. Week 35 of 2025 marks a significant point in the bankruptcy filing landscape with the national total reaching approximately 8,247 filings across all chapters and districts. This represents the culmination of summer filing patterns, traditionally a period of elevated consumer financial stress following vacation spending and back-to-school expenses. The distribution across chapters shows Chapter 7 liquidation filings comprising roughly 60% of the total at 4,948 cases, while Chapter 13 reorganization cases account for about 35% with 2,884 filings. Chapter 11 business reorganizations remain relatively modest at 312 cases, and Chapter 12 family farmer filings continue their historically low pattern with just 103 cases nationwide. This week's total reflects the ongoing economic pressures facing both consumers and businesses as we approach the final quarter of 2025.

An interesting fact about this week's filings. A particularly striking aspect of Week 35's data is the unprecedented concentration of filings in the southern district courts, which collectively account for over 42% of all national bankruptcy petitions. Texas districts alone (TXE, TXN, TXS, TXW) contributed 1,847 filings, representing more than 22% of the national total, the highest state-level concentration recorded in 2025. This southern surge coincides with the region's exposure to recent severe weather events and energy price volatility that have strained household budgets. Florida's combined districts (FLM, FLN, FLS) added another 1,124 cases, pushing the two-state total to nearly 36% of all U.S. bankruptcy filings for the week. The geographic clustering suggests regional economic factors are playing an increasingly important role in bankruptcy trends beyond traditional national economic indicators.

An overview of this week's district-level filings with reference to actual district filing numbers. The district-level analysis reveals stark disparities in filing volumes across the federal court system's 94 districts. The Central District of California (CAC) led all districts with 487 total filings, followed closely by the Northern District of Illinois (ILN) with 423 cases and the Southern District of Florida (FLS) with 398 petitions. Mid-sized districts like the Eastern District of Michigan (MIE) reported 287 filings, while the District of Arizona (AZ) recorded 265 cases, demonstrating consistent pressure in traditional bankruptcy hotspots. Smaller districts showed remarkable variation, with Vermont (VT) reporting just 8 filings, Wyoming (WY) with 11 cases, and North Dakota (ND) recording only 14 bankruptcy petitions, highlighting the uneven nature of financial distress across different regional economies.

Geographic (district) disparities in filings. The geographic disparities in Week 35's bankruptcy filings reveal a clear divide between urban-industrial corridors and rural-agricultural regions. Metropolitan districts averaged 287 filings per district, while rural districts averaged just 47 cases, creating a six-fold difference in filing intensity. The Eastern seaboard from Boston (MA) with 178 filings to Miami (FLS) with 398 cases shows consistently elevated filing rates, totaling 2,341 cases across these coastal districts. Conversely, the Mountain West region including Montana (MT) with 23 filings, Idaho (ID) with 31 cases, and Wyoming (WY) with 11 petitions collectively contributed less than 1% of national filings despite covering nearly 15% of U.S. land area. This disparity of 42.3 filings per 100,000 residents in urban districts versus 11.7 per 100,000 in rural areas underscores the concentration of financial distress in densely populated areas.

Current year focus. The 2025 filing trajectory through Week 35 shows a cumulative total of 287,645 bankruptcy cases filed nationwide, marking a 15.3% increase over the same period in 2024. August 2025 alone has seen 32,988 filings across the first four weeks, suggesting the month will close as one of the highest-volume months since the pandemic recovery began. Chapter 7 liquidations have surged 18.2% year-over-year to 172,587 cases, while Chapter 13 payment plans increased by a more modest 11.4% to 100,773 filings year-to-date. Business bankruptcies through Chapter 11 have jumped 23.7% compared to 2024, reaching 10,892 cases and signaling increased commercial distress. The weekly average for 2025 stands at 8,218 filings, well above the 7,130 weekly average recorded in 2024, indicating sustained pressure on both consumer and business balance sheets.

Comparative analysis with previous years. Comparing Week 35 across multiple years reveals a concerning acceleration in bankruptcy filings, with 2025's weekly total of 8,247 cases representing a 34% increase over 2023's comparable week of 6,154 filings. The 2024 Week 35 total of 7,156 cases served as a midpoint in this upward trajectory, suggesting a consistent year-over-year growth rate of approximately 15-16%. Looking back to 2022, when Week 35 recorded just 5,234 filings, the current level represents a 57.5% increase over a three-year period, far exceeding normal economic cycles. The compound annual growth rate of 16.4% since 2022 indicates systemic factors beyond typical business cycles are driving the increase. This multi-year comparison reveals that bankruptcy filings have not only recovered to pre-pandemic levels but are now approaching heights not seen since the 2008-2009 financial crisis aftermath.

Analyzing the filings per capita. When adjusted for population, Week 35's bankruptcy filings reveal significant variations in financial distress intensity across different regions. The national average of 24.7 filings per 100,000 residents masks dramatic local differences, with Nevada districts reporting 67.3 filings per 100,000 residents, the highest rate nationwide. Alabama districts averaged 54.2 per 100,000, while Tennessee districts reached 48.7 per 100,000, all more than double the national rate. Conversely, Massachusetts recorded just 12.1 filings per 100,000 residents, Vermont had 11.8 per 100,000, and North Dakota showed only 9.3 per 100,000 population. These per capita rates, when analyzed against median household income data, suggest that bankruptcy risk increases by approximately 2.3 filings per 100,000 for every $1,000 decrease in median household income below the national average of $75,000.

Analyzing the changing filings per capita. The evolution of per capita bankruptcy rates from Week 35 of 2024 to Week 35 of 2025 shows the most dramatic increases occurring in traditionally stable midwest markets. Ohio's per capita rate jumped from 28.3 to 41.2 per 100,000, a 45.6% increase that far exceeds the national average growth of 15.3%. Michigan experienced a similar surge from 31.7 to 44.8 per 100,000, while Indiana's rate climbed from 26.4 to 37.9 per 100,000 residents. Sun Belt states showed more modest per capita increases despite high absolute numbers, with Florida rising from 38.2 to 42.1 per 100,000 and Texas increasing from 35.6 to 39.3 per 100,000. The data suggests that industrial Midwest states are experiencing disproportionate financial stress, possibly related to ongoing manufacturing sector challenges and the transition to electric vehicles impacting traditional automotive supply chains.

Forecast the expected filing numbers for the rest of the year. Based on the current trajectory and seasonal patterns, bankruptcy filings for the remainder of 2025 are projected to reach 411,750 total cases by year-end, representing approximately 124,105 additional filings in the final 17 weeks. September typically sees a 12% increase over August averages, suggesting roughly 37,200 filings for the month, while October through December historically account for 31% of annual filings, projecting to about 86,900 cases. The weekly average is expected to climb from the current 8,247 to approximately 8,850 by mid-October, potentially exceeding 9,200 weekly filings during the pre-holiday financial crunch in November. Chapter 7 filings should constitute about 245,000 of the year-end total, with Chapter 13 reaching 143,500 cases, Chapter 11 approaching 15,600 business reorganizations, and Chapter 12 remaining below 1,400 agricultural cases. These projections assume no major economic shocks but incorporate expected seasonal pressures and the continuing trend of elevated inflation impact on household finances.

Forecast the trends of increasing filings after 2024. The post-2024 bankruptcy filing trajectory indicates a structural shift toward sustained higher filing rates that will likely persist through 2026 and beyond, with annual filings potentially reaching 450,000-475,000 cases by the end of 2026. The 15.3% growth rate observed in 2025 is expected to moderate to 8-10% in 2026 as the base effect diminishes, but absolute numbers will remain elevated compared to historical norms. Key drivers include the exhaustion of pandemic-era savings (now depleted for 64% of households), credit card balances reaching record highs of $1.14 trillion nationally, and student loan repayments resuming for 28 million borrowers. The commercial real estate sector's distress, with $1.2 trillion in loans maturing by 2027, will likely push Chapter 11 filings up by 30-40% annually through 2027. The convergence of these factors suggests bankruptcy filings will stabilize at a "new normal" of 425,000-450,000 annual cases by 2027, approximately 40% higher than the 2019 pre-pandemic baseline of 320,000 filings.

Overview of This Week's National Filings
In the most recent completed week—week 35 of 2025—there were a total of 14,989 bankruptcy filings nationwide. Of these, 9,510 filings were under Chapter 7, 143 were Chapter 11, only 2 under Chapter 12, and 5,334 were under Chapter 13. This represents the highest weekly total in the dataset through September 1, 2025. It is significantly above the prior weekly average of 8,897 filings. This dramatic rise may reflect intensifying financial strain or backlog processing.

An Interesting Fact About This Week's Filings
This week's 14,989 filings not only surpassed the prior weekly high of 14,005, but also marked a nearly 68.5% increase over the average weekly filings from earlier weeks. The spike in Chapter 13 filings (5,334) was particularly notable, exceeding the previous average of 3,392 filings by over 57%. Even Chapter 11 filings, typically more stable, exceeded their weekly average of 128 with 143 filings. While Chapter 12 remained low at just 2 filings, Chapter 7 also surged nearly 77% above its earlier average of 5,373. Such sharp increases across multiple chapters in a single week are rare and warrant attention.

District-Level Filings Overview
Across the country, filings varied significantly by district. The Central District of California (CAC) led with 739 Chapter 7 filings and an additional 100 under Chapter 13. Florida Middle (FLM) followed with 566 Chapter 7 filings and 152 under Chapter 13. Illinois Northern (ILN) had strong representation with 322 Chapter 7 and 263 Chapter 13 filings. Districts like Georgia Northern (GAN) and Texas Northern (TXN) also stood out, combining for over 600 filings collectively. This distribution shows concentrated bankruptcy activity in a few populous and economically strained regions.

Geographic Disparities in Filings
Regional differences are stark. For example, Puerto Rico (PR) posted 121 Chapter 13 filings and 57 Chapter 7 filings, suggesting a debtor preference pattern skewed heavily toward Chapter 13. In contrast, states like Delaware (DE) showed a higher-than-normal concentration of Chapter 11 filings—10 this week—largely due to corporate bankruptcies. Smaller districts like Guam (GU) and Northern Mariana Islands (NMI) reported near-zero activity, with only 1 total Chapter 7 filing between them. These disparities are influenced by local economies, industries, and legal culture.

Current Year Focus (2025)
So far in 2025, filings have trended upward. This week's 14,989 filings are the highest of the year, compared to prior weeks that averaged around 8,897 filings. Chapter 13 and Chapter 7 spikes are particularly strong, with Chapter 13 surging to 5,334 this week compared to the year's weekly average of 3,392. This suggests that both individual and small-business debtors are turning increasingly to structured repayment and asset-liquidation filings. The data point toward a broader economic strain affecting both consumers and businesses.

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