BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Foreclosure activity across Alabama rose 12.2 percent in October from the year before, a rate that outpaced the U.S. average, according to

. The state's October figure was 47 percent higher than September's.

The mortgage researcher said there were 2,200 foreclosure filings in Alabama last month. That equals one filing for every 982 households in the state, putting Alabama's foreclosure rate No. 25 among the states. The U.S. rate was one filing for every 563 households.

Nevada was No. 1, with a filing for every 180 households.

Foreclosure activity across the U.S. declined 31 percent in October from the prior year, according to California-based RealtyTrac. It gained 7 percent from September.

"The October foreclosure numbers continue to show strong signs that foreclosure activity is coming out of the rain delay we've been in for the past year as lenders corrected foreclosure paperwork and processing problems," RealtyTrac CEO

James Saccacio

said in a statement.