1940 Census Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When will the 1940 Census by released?

A: The 1940 United States Federal Census will be released on 2 April 2012. The National Archives will release digital images of the 1940 census pages at 12:01 a.m. FamilySearch will load and display those images as soon as possible once they have received them from the archives.

Q: What was the population of the United States reported from the 1940 U.S. census data? What state had the largest population? What state had the smallest population? Where can I learn the population of my state?

A: Wikipedia lists the total U.S. population on April 1, 1940 as 132,164,569 with the largest state New York at 13,479,142 and the smallest state Nevada at 110,247. Learn the population of your state of interest on the Wikipedia population table.[add citiation]

Q: Is there a name index I can use to locate my family?

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Q: Do I need to know where my family or person of interest lived to locate them in the 1940 Census?

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Q: Are there microfilm copies of the 1940 Census and will the Family History Library have copies?

A: Yes, microfilm copies of the 1940 Census do exist. The originals are held by the National Archives. The Family History Library and FamilySearch will not be adding copies of these microfilms to their collection as they are instead getting digital copies that will be available online.

Q: What questions were asked in the enumeration of the 1940 census?

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Q: What questions were new or different from the previous census enumeration of 1930?

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 * Residence five years previous
 * Highest level of education
 * Wages and income previous year

Q: Were U.S. territories and possessions included in the 1940 census?

A: The 1940 census included 48 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories of Alaska, American Samoa, the American Consulates, Guam, Hawaii, the Panama Canal Zone, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.