1940 US Census Quick Facts

  • 1940 US Census Date:
    April 1, 1940
    (All reported data is “as of” this official date chosen by the census agency)
  • 1940 Census Duration:
    1 month
  • 1940 US Census Population:
    132,164,569
  • President During 1940 Census:
    Franklin D. Roosevelt

48 States participated in the 1940 census. Participating territories: Alaska, Hawaii, American Samoa, the Canal Zone, Guam, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands.
48 States participated in the 1940 census. Participating territories: Alaska, Hawaii, American Samoa, the Canal Zone, Guam, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands.

1940 Census Data: 14th United States Census

  • It took $67,527,000, approximately 123,069 enumerators and 58,400 published reports to complete the 1940 census.
  • The US population increased by 7.3 percent from the 1930 census to the 1940 census.

Information requested for the 1940 US Census

  • Street name
  • House number
  • Number of household in order of visitation
  • Is the home owned or rented?
  • Value of the home, if owned, or monthly rental, if rented
  • Does the person's household live on a farm?
  • Name
  • Relationship with the head of household
  • Sex
  • Color or race
  • Age at last birthday
  • Marital status
  • Did the person attend school or college at any time in the past year?
  • What was the highest grade of school that the person completed?
  • Person's place of birth
  • If foreign born, is the person a citizen?
  • City, town, or village
  • County and State or Territory
  • Was this house on a farm?
  • For persons 14 years and older - employment status
  • What is the person's occupation, trade, or profession?
  • What is the person's industry or business?
  • What is the person's class of worker?
  • Number of weeks worked in 1939 (or equivalent of full time weeks)
  • Amount of money, wages, or salary received (including commissions)
  • Did this person receive income of more than $50 from sources other than money wages or salary?

What was lost from the 1940 US Census?

No major loss of records in the 1940 US census.

Famous people in history: Shirley Temple

The beloved American film star Shirley Temple stole hearts as a child actor from the ripe age of three years old. Born in 1928 in Santa Monica, California, Temple perfromed as a talented dancer and singer in both film and television roles. One of the youngest superstars, Temple made 11 films in 1933 alone giving hope and entertainment during the Great Depression.

By age 12 Shirley Temple failed to find adult film roles and left the movie industry. She married John Agar in 1945, which lasted only five years, and found lasting happiness with Charles Black in 1950 with whom she had two more children. In adulthood, Temple entered the arena of politics, and served as a diplomat and ambassador during the 1960s through 1992.

Shirley Temple in the 1930 census living with her family at the age of 12.
Shirley Temple in the 1930 census living with her family at the age of 12.

Historical Events Surrounding 1940 Census

  • December 7, 1941: Japanese warplanes attack Pearl Harbor marking the entrance of US into WWII
  • February 19, 1942: FDR issues an executive order for the interment of all American residents with Japanese ancestry
  • Department stores start selling Tupperware in 1943
  • May 4, 1945: Germany surrenders ending World War II
  • March 5, 1946: Winston Churchill delivers his “Iron Curtain” speech at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri