Pittsburgh-area Business Bankruptcies Dip Slightly

Smaller companies face mounting pressure despite slight decline in filings

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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More than 200 Pittsburgh-area businesses filed for bankruptcy in 2025, a slight decrease from 2024 when filings nearly doubled. Of the 231 total filings, 119 were Chapter 7 liquidations and 98 were Chapter 11 restructurings. Nationally, business filings increased 7.1% in 2025 compared to the prior year.

Why it matters

The Pittsburgh region has seen a rise in business bankruptcies in recent years, reflecting the economic challenges facing smaller companies in the area. While the slight dip in 2025 is a positive sign, the high number of filings indicates ongoing financial pressures that could impact the local economy.

The details

The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, which covers 25 counties, registered 231 commercial bankruptcy applications in 2025, down from 259 in 2024. Of the 2025 filings, 119 were Chapter 7 liquidations and 98 were Chapter 11 restructurings. The remaining 14 were considered other, likely farms or sole proprietorships. Nationally, business filings increased 7.1% in 2025 compared to 2024.

  • In 2024, there were 259 commercial bankruptcy filings in the Pittsburgh region.
  • In 2025, there were 231 commercial bankruptcy filings in the Pittsburgh region, a slight decrease from the prior year.

The players

U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania

The federal bankruptcy court that covers 25 counties in the Pittsburgh region and registered the commercial bankruptcy filings.

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The takeaway

The slight decline in Pittsburgh-area business bankruptcies in 2025 is a positive sign, but the high number of filings, particularly among smaller companies, indicates ongoing financial pressures that could continue to impact the local economy.