A good look at the 1940 U.S. Census

The processing of the 1940 U.S. Census using punch cards and sorting machines.
The processing of the 1940 U.S. Census using punch cards and sorting machines. (Census Bureau)

The 1940 U.S. census brought some changes to the census. The overall questions were similar to previous censuses but the form was different for one major reason. This was the first census that brought about statistical sampling. This means that selected individuals were asked additional questions that were later used is a statistical analysis.

This census was also important because it tracked migration within the country. The Great Depression caused families to move to seek better economic opportunities. For example, there was a significant migration from Oklahoma to California because of drought and farm failures. This was in addition to the usual economic questions.

The 1940 U.S. census can also be used to find the physical street address of the individuals. It can be fun to enter an address into google maps and use the street view to see the house or location.

Questions for the 1940 U.S. Census

One of the more significant questions on the census was about an individual’s location in 1935. This question can help track migration, if it happened. The question included city, county, and state.

The economic questions were important. There were questions asked about unemployment, weeks worked, yearly income, and occupation. Looking at the answers to these questions can reveal the struggles that many families had during the Great Depression.

The individuals selected for additional questions were asked about their mother tongue, parents place of birth, employment and number of marriage. The form clearly identifies the selected individuals and the answers are located in a table at the bottom of the form page.

Missing Records

According to the FamilySearch Research Wiki, there are a few missing enumeration districts but those districts are not specified in the article. The Census Bureau page for the 1940 U.S. Census also does not disclose which districts are missing.

Supplemental schedules for agriculture and housing were also taken during the census, but these additional schedules are all missing.

This was the first census that was released to the public as digital images. The digital images were reproduced from the microfilm created after the census was completed. Unfortunately the original enumeration sheets were destroyed after they were filmed. It would be difficult to know what else may be missing.

Statistics

An overview of the statistics from the 1940 U.S. census can be found at Wikipedia. The table of the change in population from 1930 to 1940 shows how much migration occurred between the states. There were significant declines in population in Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Significant increases of more than 20% population growth occurred in California, Alaska, Nevada, New Mexico, Washington D. C. , and Florida. The overall migration patterns show movement from the central United States to the West and Southeast.

The total population increased about 8% to 132,164,569. The most populous state was New York and the least populous was Nevada. New York City, Philadelphia, and Chicago were the most populous with New York City topping out at 7,454,995.

A look at John Henry Eaton in 1940

There was no significant change to the John Henry Eaton family from 1930 to 1940.1 The oldest son William Henry had married and moved out. Robert Louis also married and moved out right before the 1930 census. Unfortunately, Robert died in 1939 of tuberculosis. The other children remained in the home. Charlie (32), Herbert (29), and Gracie (21) were all adults but still living at home helping the family to survive.

The economic questions reveal how hard life must have been. Charlie, Herbert, and Gracie were all working and likely contributing to the household. John Henry reported only working 6 weeks as a carpenter in the previous year and only making $90.

The family was still in the home at 309 Trade Street and their monthly rent was $10/month. John Henry did not make enough to pay the rent for the previous year, let alone anything else. Very likely the entire family pooled their resources. Looking at the neighbors, they were all in similar situations.

The education column reveals that Gracie is the only member of the family that graduated from high school. Her brothers finished elementary school, but didn’t go beyond that. John Henry only went to school until 3rd grade.

Sources

  1. 1940 U.S. Census, Lauderdale, Alabama, population schedule, District: Precint 10, enumeration district (ED) 29-23, sheet 5B (penned), line number 70-74, family 100, John H. Eaton; digital image, FamilySearch, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9MR-1QQH accessed 15 June 2023); citing NARA microfilm publication T627, roll 50.
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One response to “A good look at the 1940 U.S. Census”

  1. […] John Henry is most likely retired at this point. He states he is unemployed and not working in the employment questions. Charlie is also unemployed. It appears as though Herbert is supporting the family by working at the aluminum factory. In the supplemental questions for John Henry, the household income was $2200 for the previous year. The family clearly still struggled financially as they did in 1930 and 1940. […]

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