Year-over-Year (YOY) Growth
- 12‑month period ending June 30, 2025: Total bankruptcies rose 11.5% compared to the year prior—542,529 cases vs. 486,613 United States Courts.
- First half of 2025: 276,126 filings, marking a 10% increase over the same period in 2024 CBS News.
- Monthly snapshot for July 2025: Total filings increased 12% year-over-year; consumer Chapter 7 filings were up 13%, and Chapter 13 filings rose 7% epiqglobal.com.
Quarterly and Weekly Indicators
- First quarter 2025: Filings edged up modestly—0.7% compared to Q4 2024; however, still higher than Q1 2024 CUInsight.
- Weekly filings mid‑2025: In Week 22, nationwide filings reached 12,875—a 22% increase over the average weekly rate, and a similar increase over the prior year—suggesting accelerating momentum BankruptcyWatch.
California & Bay Area: Notable Increases
Statewide Figures
- 2024: California had the highest volume of state filings in the U.S., with 47,621 bankruptcies Debt.org.
- 2025 projections and first-half surges align with national upward trends, indicating likely continued increases statewide.
Bay Area Specifics
- Bay Area counties (Apr 2024–Mar 2025) saw a 25% increase in personal bankruptcies compared to the prior year—double the nationwide rate.
- Within that:
- Contra Costa County (which includes Walnut Creek) experienced a 30% increase.
- San Mateo County saw a similar 30% increase, while Napa County led with 40% San Francisco Standard.
Local Corporate Case: Del Monte Foods
- Based in Walnut Creek, Del Monte Foods filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in July 2025, though this was a single corporate action rather than a broad statistical trend KTVU FOX 2 San Francisco.
Summary & Outlook for Walnut Creek / Bay Area
| Metric | Trend |
|---|---|
| National bankruptcies | Up ~10–13% YOY |
| California (statewide) | Highest volume; likely increasing |
| Bay Area personal filings | Up ~25% YOY |
| Contra Costa County | Up ~30% YOY |
| Del Monte Foods (corp.) | Chapter 11 filing in Jul 2025 |
Final Takeaway
Yes—bankruptcy filings are increasing significantly as of mid-2025 in California, and especially in the Bay Area around Walnut Creek. Contra Costa County is seeing a notable rise (around 30%), far exceeding national averages. This surge reflects financial stress among households likely tied to elevated interest rates, high debt loads, and post-pandemic economic shifts.