Bankruptcy filings in state rise more than 50% in February

In February, more than 2,300 households in Washington state declared bankruptcy, up more than 50 percent from a year ago. The most densely populated counties — King, Pierce and Snohomish — together accounted for 1,138 filings.

But Kitsap County, which has seen unemployment shoot to nearly 8 percent, saw the biggest percentage jump among the more populous counties: The number of bankruptcies doubled to 100 filings last month.

Washington state ranked 18th overall in bankruptcy filings per capita, according to AACER, an Oklahoma-based bankruptcy data company. The state ranked fifth in annual growth in per capita filings.

Experts say more families are declaring bankruptcy who have houses they cannot sell and mortgages they cannot afford.

More businesses are seeking relief from creditors, too: There were 49 bankruptcy filings by businesses in Western Washington last month, up from 32 the previous February.

Sanjay Bhatt: 206-464-3103 or sbhatt@seattletimes.com