Personal bankruptcy filings are rising sharply across the country. These bankruptcies are almost always a last resort, resulting in serious long-term consequences including difficulty finding housing or employment, lower credit scores, and higher borrowing costs. The surge in bankruptcy filings signals growing financial strain on American households from rising prices, elevated interest rates, and increased unemployment.
Co-Equal has developed estimates of personal bankruptcy filings for the counties represented by each member of Congress. In the counties represented by the average member of Congress:
Nationally, 543,574 individuals or families filed for bankruptcy in 2025 — an increase of 55,121 filings (11%) over 2024.
For more recent, state- and county-level detail on rural bankruptcies, see this map, which covers the 12 months ending March 31, 2026.
Note: The figures above cover calendar years 2025 and 2024 and were last updated February 6, 2026. The rural bankruptcy map covers a different period — the 12 months ending March 31, 2026 — and was published June 9, 2026. Because the periods differ, the map's totals will not match the figures above.
