Nevada surpasses Tennessee as highest per capita bankruptcy state

Alaska remains state where bankruptcies least likely

By Tyler Metzger

Editor's note: See the most recent bankruptcy statistic story.

Bankruptcies soared everywhere in the United States in 2009, but Western states saw the biggest surge, according to year-end figures.

Total bankruptcy filings in 2009 reached 1.4 million in 2009, up from 1.09 million in 2008. The vast majority were personal bankruptcies (Chapter 7 and Chapter 13); business bankruptcies made up 6 percent of all filings.

Nevada surpassed Tennessee atop the listing of bankruptcies per capita, with more than 11 bankruptcies filed for every 1,000 residents. Tennessee and Georgia took the second and third slots behind the Silver State.Compared to 2009 third-quarter data, the biggest mover was Arizona, which rose six spots from No. 21 to No. 15.

At the other end of the scale is Alaska, which had only 1.4 bankruptcies per capita, meaning the average Nevadan was eight times more likely to file bankruptcy than the average Alaskan.

Use the table below to find where your state ranks on bankruptcies per capita basis, meaning the number of bankruptcies per every 1,000 residents.

See related: State by state bankruptcy filings, 2005-2009, Bankruptcy filings soar 32% in 2009, 5 tips for those considering bankruptcy, 4 ways to re-establish credit after bankruptcy, 5 misconceptions after credit after bankruptcy

Published: January 7, 2010

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