CDB Infotek said yesterday there were 177,034 Chapter 7 & 13 bankruptcies filed in California last year, a 34.9% increase from 1995. The strongest growth occurred in Los Angeles, up 64.2%, while San Francisco was up 15.6%. CDB also reported data showing Chapter 11 filings decreased 19.9% last year.
FULL STORY:
The number of personal bankruptcy filings rose significantly in California last year, the result of increased bankruptcy acceptance and of lingering economic distress, a public records information service reported.
Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy filings, the vast majority of which are personal, totaled 177,034 last year, up 34.9 percent from 131,198 for the year before, according to Santa Ana-based CDB Infotek.
Chapter 11 filings, typically used by businesses, totaled 1,634 last year, down 19.9 percent from 2,041 for the year before.
"While part of the increase in personal bankruptcies can be attributed to an increased acceptance of bankruptcy as a financial tool, it's clear that a lot of California households haven't shared in the state's economic recovery. There's still a lot of financial hardship out there," said Rick Rozar, CDB president and CEO.
Of the state's major counties, Los Angeles saw the strongest year-over-year increase in personal bankruptcies (see chart). Last year there were 53,865 Chapters 7 and 13 filings, up 64.2 percent from 32,804 for 1995.
At the other end of the scale, Santa Barbara and El Dorado counties both experienced declines in personal bankruptcies.
CDB Infotek provides on-line access to public records nationwide. In addition to bankruptcy information, the company provides access to other court records, real estate records, new business filings and more.
Number of Chapter 7 & Chapter 13
bankruptcy filings in California
County/Region 1995 1996 Percent
Change
Los Angeles 32,804 53,865 64.2 pct.
Orange 13,551 16,059 19.2 pct.
San Diego 13,832 17,181 24.2 pct.
Riverside 7,768 9,871 27.1 pct.
San Bernardino 9,040 10,190 12.7 pct.
Ventura 2,142 3,044 42.1 pct.
Imperial 272 314 15.4 pct.
Southern Calif. Total 79,409 110,620 39.3 pct.
Alameda 5,262 6,199 17.8 pct.
Contra Costa 2,978 4,872 63.6 pct.
Marin 1,334 1,860 39.4 pct.
Napa 437 632 44.6 pct.
San Francisco 2,760 3,190 15.6 pct.
San Mateo 1,910 2,135 11.8 pct.
Santa Clara 5,815 6,445 10.8 pct.
Solano 1,338 1,831 36.8 pct.
Sonoma 3,164 4,066 28.5 pct.
Bay Area Total 24,998 31,230 24.9 pct.
El Dorado 1,235 1,106 -10.4 pct.
Fresno 4,101 4,785 16.7 pct.
Kern 2,349 2,698 14.9 pct.
Kings 52 123 136.5 pct.
Madera 45 99 120.0 pct.
Merced 84 206 145.2 pct.
Placer 595 1,030 73.1 pct.
Sacramento 5,402 7,992 47.9 pct.
San Benito 62 69 11.3 pct.
San Joaquin 1,308 1,367 4.5 pct.
Stanislaus 2,437 3,505 43.8 pct.
Tulare 207 463 123.7 pct.
Yolo 267 366 37.1 pct.
Yuba 140 214 52.9 pct.
Central Valley Total 18,284 24,023 31.4 pct.
Monterey 1,097 1,404 28.0 pct.
San Luis Obispo 961 1,397 45.4 pct.
Santa Barbara 1,061 991 -6.6 pct.
Santa Cruz 1,171 1,392 18.9 pct.
Central Coast Total 4,290 5,184 20.8 pct.
Northern Calif. Total 2,918 4,294 47.2 pct.
Sierra/Foothills Total 866 1,211 39.8 pct.
Statewide 131,198 177,034 34.9 pct.
