Bankruptcy filings continue to decline in Whatcom County, dropping to the lowest level in more than four years.

Whatcom tallied 35 bankruptcy filings in September, the lowest monthly total since April 2008, according to U.S. Bankruptcy Court Western District in Seattle. The monthly total is down from 53 in August.

For the first three quarters of 2012, Whatcom County had 489 bankruptcies, down 14.8 percent compared to the same period in 2011.

Last month Skagit County tallied 42 bankruptcies, one less than in August.

In the Western District, which includes Seattle, 924 bankruptcy filings took place in September, down 23.8 percent compared to a year earlier. The Tacoma court had 598 filings in September, down 28.8 percent in the past year.

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.