The number of bankruptcies filed statewide in February jumped to their highest level in 40 months as an economic downturn continued to exact a toll on individuals and companies.

Figures compiled by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Honolulu show 226 bankruptcy petitions were filed, or the highest number since a change in bankruptcy laws in October 2005.

Bankruptcy filings have been edging upward in the past 12 months as a result of the slowing economy, rising joblessness and problems in the mortgage market. Nationally, the number of bankruptcy filings climbed 37 percent in February, reaching 103,000, according to data compiled by AACER, a service of Jupiter ESources LLC in Oklahoma City.

The rise in filings comes as unemployment and foreclosures rise locally. Seasonally adjusted unemployment reached a 10-year high in December at 5.5 percent, while foreclosures remained above 300 for a sixth consecutive month in January, according to California-based real estate research firm RealtyTrac.

AACER, which stands for Automated Access to Court Electronic Records, reported Hawai'i, Delaware and Washington had the fastest growing bankruptcy filings, while Tennessee, Nevada, Georgia, Alabama and Michigan had the most per capita.

February's filing total here was 60 percent higher than the same month a year earlier.

The bulk of the filings were by individuals and couples. Among the businesses filing for bankruptcy were TADACJ Inc., the operator of the restaurant Manana Garage in Kahului and a Honolulu law firm, Lynch, Ichida, Thompson & Hirota LLC.

Other data released by the bankruptcy court shows filings increased by residents and businesses in all counties, with the biggest percentage rise occurring for Kaua'i.

• Filings for O'ahu increased to 140, a 43 percent rise compared with a year earlier.

• Big Island filings totaled 27, or nine more than in February 2008.

• Maui filings more than doubled to 44 from 20.

• Kaua'i filings tripled to 15.