The number of Whatcom County residents filing for bankruptcy continues to decline, according to a new report.

Through August, Whatcom County tallied 454 bankruptcy filings this year, a 12.7 percent decline compared to the same period in 2011, according to data from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court Western District in Seattle. Last month Whatcom had 53 filings, down from 61 in August 2011.

Bankruptcies were down across the western district last month. In the Seattle region, 1,148 bankruptcies were filed last month, down 14.8 percent compared to a year earlier. In Skagit County, 43 filings were made last month, down from 44 in August 2011.

In the Tacoma region, bankruptcies in August were down 4.5 percent compared to a year before.

Reach DAVE GALLAGHER at dave.gallagher@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2269. Visit his business blog online at blogs.bellinghamherald.com/business or get updates on Twitter at twitter.com/BhamHeraldBiz.