Eastern District of Missouri
Federal Judicial District · FY2024 · AOUSC Judicial Caseload Statistics
Statistical information only — not legal advice. Consult a bankruptcy attorney for guidance on your specific situation.
6,281
Total Filings
mid-volume district (FY2024)
3,781
Chapter 7
liquidation cases (FY2024)
2,388
Chapter 13
wage-earner plans (FY2024)
297
Business
corporate cases (FY2024)
Filing History
| Year | Total | Ch. 7 | Ch. 11 | Ch. 12 | Ch. 13 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2024 | 6,281 | 3,781 | 104 | 8 | 2,388 |
| FY2023 | 5,612 | 3,519 | 85 | 10 | 1,998 |
| FY2022 | 5,019 | 3,433 | 61 | 11 | 1,514 |
| FY2021 | 5,353 | 3,849 | 62 | 13 | 1,429 |
| FY2020 | 7,046 | 5,010 | 92 | 9 | 1,935 |
| FY2019 | 10,030 | 6,229 | 90 | 7 | 3,704 |
| FY2018 | 10,093 | 6,288 | 88 | 7 | 3,710 |
| FY2017 | 9,937 | 6,459 | 93 | 8 | 3,377 |
| FY2016 | 10,283 | 6,961 | 95 | 9 | 3,218 |
| FY2015 | 10,931 | 7,422 | 98 | 9 | 3,402 |
Year-over-Year Trend & Chapter Mix
60%
Chapter 7 share
5,984
Consumer filings
Filings increased 11.9% from FY2023 to FY2024 in the Eastern District of Missouri.
What the Eastern District of Missouri Data Shows
In FY2024, the Eastern District of Missouri processed 6,281 federal bankruptcy petitions. Chapter 7 liquidations made up 60% of the caseload (3,781 cases), while Chapter 13 wage-earner repayment plans represented 38% (2,388 cases). Chapter 11 reorganizations — the path used by most complex corporate debtors — totaled 104, and Chapter 12 cases for family farmers and fishermen totaled 8. Business filings accounted for 4.7% of the district's total activity, with the remaining 5,984 filings classified as consumer cases.
AOUSC data for this district covers 10 fiscal years (FY2015–FY2024). Across that window, total filings fell 42.5%, with a pronounced trough during FY2020–FY2022 when federal pandemic relief programs suppressed filings nationwide. The district's Chapter 7 versus Chapter 13 mix is shaped by the presiding state's exemption laws, local attorney fee conventions, standing orders from the bankruptcy judges, and trustee practices — factors that can shift material outcomes like whether a debtor keeps a home or surrenders it.
These counts describe the population of filings in this district; they do not describe the success rate of any given case or predict how an individual filing will resolve. Chapter 13 completion rates, for example, vary widely between districts even within the same state, and Chapter 11 outcomes depend heavily on case-specific financing, creditor negotiations, and court-approved plans. This page is statistical information only and is not legal advice; anyone considering bankruptcy should consult a licensed attorney who practices in the Eastern District of Missouri before relying on district-level averages for a personal decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bankruptcy cases were filed in the Eastern District of Missouri in FY2024?
The Eastern District of Missouri had 6,281 total bankruptcy filings in FY2024. Of those, 3,781 were Chapter 7 (liquidation), 2,388 were Chapter 13 (wage earner plans), 104 were Chapter 11 (business reorganization), and 8 were Chapter 12 (family farmer/fisherman).
What types of bankruptcy can be filed in the Eastern District of Missouri?
All four bankruptcy chapters (7, 11, 12, 13) can be filed in the Eastern District of Missouri. Chapter 7 liquidation is the most common nationwide. Chapter 13 allows wage earners to repay debts over 3-5 years. Chapter 11 is primarily for businesses. Chapter 12 is reserved for family farmers and fishermen.
How have bankruptcy filings changed over time in this district?
The Eastern District of Missouri has filing data from FY2015 through FY2024. Filings dropped sharply during 2020-2022 due to pandemic relief programs, and have been rising since as those programs expired. Nationally, the 2022 trough was the lowest in decades.
What is the difference between business and non-business bankruptcy filings?
In FY2024, the Eastern District of Missouri had 297 business filings and 5,984 non-business (consumer) filings. Business filings typically use Chapter 11 for reorganization, while consumer filings are predominantly Chapter 7 or Chapter 13.
Bankruptcy Guides
Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13
What the data shows about which path filers choose.
The Means Test
How income determines Chapter 7 eligibility.
State Exemptions
What assets you can protect in bankruptcy.
Bankruptcy Timeline
From filing to discharge, step by step.
Business Bankruptcy
Chapter 11 restructuring trends and patterns.
Related Financial Data
PlainAttorney
Attorney discipline records and state bar actions — find qualified bankruptcy attorneys.
PlainCredit
Consumer credit scores and debt levels by state — context for bankruptcy rates.
PlainLender
Mortgage lending data and origination stats — housing debt drives many filings.
PlainTaxData
Federal tax statistics by state — tax debt is a common bankruptcy trigger.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.