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.
This map shows personal bankruptcies in rural areas for the 12 months ending on March 31, 2026, compared to the 12 months ending on March 31, 2025.
Note: The rural bankruptcy map was published June 9, 2026. The other files on this page show personal bankruptcies for calendar years 2025 and 2024 and were last updated on February 6, 2026.
