Bankruptcy Statistics in Ohio
The state of Ohio has experienced economic challenges in recent years, including rising debt, high unemployment rates, and increasing healthcare costs.
These challenges have contributed to a sharp rise in bankruptcy filings across the state, with thousands of individuals and businesses seeking debt relief through bankruptcy courts.
We will examine eight key statistics related to bankruptcy in Ohio, including the most common causes of bankruptcy, the demographics of those filing for bankruptcy, the types of bankruptcy filings, and more.
By analyzing these trends and statistics, we can gain a better understanding of the financial challenges facing Ohioans and how bankruptcy can provide a pathway to debt relief and financial stability.
8 Bankruptcy Statistics in Ohio
Ohio’s bankruptcy statistics provide an important insight into how the state is faring financially. Here are 8 statistics from 2019 to 2025 that provide a comprehensive understanding of the state’s bankruptcy rates and trends:
1. In 2025, Northern Ohio Had 14,363 Bankruptcies Filed in Total. [1]
2. The Number of Bankruptcies Within Northern Ohio Increased by 5% from 2024 to 2025, Totaling 14,363 Bankruptcies Compared to 13,739 of 2024. [1]
3. In 2025, the Annual Bankruptcy Filings in Northern Ohio Were Mostly Chapter 7 (11,687) and Chapter 13 (2,638), with Chapter 11 (37) Following. [1]
4. The Most Common Cause of Bankruptcy in Ohio in 2021 Was Medical Debt (58%), Followed by Credit Card Debt (24%). [2]
5. The Number of Bankruptcies Filed in Southern Ohio Increased From 2024 to 2025 by 6.7%. [3]
6. Ohio Had the Fourth Highest Bankruptcy Rate in The Country as of 3rd Quarter of 2025. [4]
7. There were 11,778 Bankruptcy Filings Recorded in Southern District of Ohio in 2025. [3]
8. In December 2025, a Total of 629 Chapter 7 Bankruptcies Were Filed in Southern District of Ohio. This was a 4.6% Increase Compared to 601 Filings in December of 2024. [3]
Northern Ohio Had 14,363 Total Bankruptcy Filings in 2025.
In 2025, Northern Ohio had a total of 14,393 bankruptcy filings. This was an increase from 2024, in which there were 13,739 bankruptcies.
The majority of these bankruptcy filings were Chapter 11 (11,687), while Chapter 13 accounted for around 2,638.
Of the individual filings, Chapter 7 accounted for 81% and Chapter 13 accounted for 18%, with Chapter 11 and Chapter 12 accounting for the remaining 1%.
The Northern Side of Ohio Saw an increase of 5% in Bankruptcies From 2024 to 2025, with a Total of 14,300+ Bankruptcies.
Ohio had more bankruptcies in 2024 than in 2024. A total of 14,636 bankruptcies were filed, which is a 5% decrease.
The majority of individuals filing for bankruptcy chose Chapter 7 (81%) or Chapter 13 (18%), with fewer selecting Chapter 11 or Chapter 12 (less than 1%).
The Majority of Bankruptcy Filings in Northern Ohio in 2021 Were Chapter 7 and Chapter 13, Followed by Chapter 11 and Chapter 12.
In 2025, the distribution of bankruptcy filings in Northern Ohio saw the majority of cases being filed under Chapter 7 (81%) and Chapter 13 (18%), followed by Chapter 11 and Chapter 12 (1%).
These percentages are similar to the national averages. The highest number of filings was from individuals under 30 years old, with 30% of all consumer bankruptcies being filed by this age group.
Chapter 7 allows for the elimination of most debts without repayment, while Chapter 13 offers a payment plan to help individuals pay off their debt over three to five years.
During 2021, Medical Debt Was the Most Frequent Cause of Bankruptcy (58%) in Ohio, Followed by Credit Card Debt (24%).
In Ohio, in 2021, medical debt was the most frequent cause of bankruptcy (58%), followed by credit card debt (24%). This is a significant issue in the state, as medical bills are often very expensive and can quickly accumulate to an unmanageable level.
Credit card debt can easily spiral out of control due to high-interest rates and fees. The remaining 18% of bankruptcies in Ohio were caused by other types of debt, including student loans, mortgages, and automobile loans.
Bankruptcy Filings in Southern Ohio Saw a Decrease of 13.9% Between 2021 and 2022.
The number of bankruptcy filings in Southern Ohio saw a decrease of 13.9% between 2021 and 2022. This is likely due to the implementation of the federal CARES Act, which provided stimulus payments, suspended student loan payments, and increased unemployment benefits.
These measures helped many individuals stay afloat financially during this period and avoid filing for bankruptcy.
Ohio state legislators have implemented various forms of assistance for those struggling with debt, such as debt counseling and consumer credit education.
As of 2021, Ohio's Bankruptcy Rate Ranks 14th Highest in The United States.
As of 2021, Ohio’s bankruptcy rate ranks 14th highest in the United States. This is higher than the national average as well as the averages of many other states.
The state has seen a decrease in bankruptcies over the past few years, but it still remains one of the highest in terms of filings.
A Total of 12,037 Bankruptcy Filings Were Recorded in Southern Ohio in The Year 2020.
In 2020, a total of 12,037 bankruptcy filings were recorded in Southern Ohio. This was an 11.6% decrease from the year prior.
The majority of these filings were for individuals (87%) while businesses accounted for the remaining 13%. Of the individual filings, Chapter 7 accounted for 44% and Chapter 13 accounted for 41%, with Chapter 11 and Chapter 12 accounting for 10% and 5%, respectively.
The Number of Registered Chapter 13 Bankruptcies in Southern Ohio Decreased by 8.4% from 2024 to 2025.
The number of registered Chapter 13 bankruptcies in Southern Ohio decreased by 8% from 2024 to 2024. Compared to 260 filings in December 2024, there were 282 filings in December 2025.
The probable cause of this is the execution of the federal CARES Act, which offered stimulus payments, deferred student loan payments, and raised unemployment benefits for individuals heavily impacted by the pandemic.
Ohio state legislators have implemented measures to assist individuals struggling with debt, including debt counseling and consumer credit education, helping them avoid bankruptcy and stay financially afloat during this period.
References:
[1] Court statistics | Northern District of Ohio | United States Bankruptcy Court. (n.d.). https://www.ohnb.uscourts.gov/court-info/court-stats
[2] Medical debt relief: A promising tactic, but deeper change needed | Policy Matters Ohio | January 24, 2023. (n.d.). Medical Debt Relief: A Promising Tactic, but Deeper Change Needed | Policy Matters Ohio | January 24, 2023. https://www.policymattersohio.org/blog/2023/01/24/medical-debt-relief-a-promising-tactic-but-deeper-change-needed
[3] Statistics -United States Bankruptcy Court Southern District of Ohio. (2025). December 2025 Case Statistics report. In United States Bankruptcy Court Southern District of Ohio. https://www.ohsb.uscourts.gov/sites/ohsb/files/case-filing-stats/December%202025%20Filings.pdf
[4] Rank list: states in profile. (n.d.). https://www.statsamerica.org/sip/rank_list.aspx?rank_label=brupt3_2_a&item_in=7
