1940 United States Census

1940 United States Census
Original: United States Bureau of the Census Vector: Mysid · Public domain · source
Name	1940 United States Census
Country	United States
Date	April 1, 1940
Population	132,164,569
Percent change	+7.3%
Region type	state
Most populous	New York (13,479,142)
Least populous	Nevada (110,247)
Previous census	1930 United States Census
Previous year	1930
Next census	1950 United States Census
Next year	1950

1940 United States Census was the sixteenth decennial enumeration mandated by the United States Constitution and was conducted by the Census Bureau during a pivotal era of national recovery and impending global conflict. It recorded a resident population of 132,164,569, revealing the lingering demographic effects of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. The census introduced significant methodological advancements, including statistical sampling and new questions on internal migration, which provided a crucial snapshot of a nation on the cusp of World War II.

Background and purpose

The planning for this enumeration occurred under the directorship of William Lane Austin within the Department of Commerce, against a backdrop of profound economic and social upheaval. Key purposes included apportioning seats in the United States House of Representatives and distributing funds from New Deal programs like the Works Progress Administration and the Social Security Act. The data was also deemed vital for national preparedness, as the administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt anticipated potential involvement in the expanding wars in Europe and Asia, necessitating detailed knowledge of the national workforce and industrial capacity.

Methodology and innovations

This census was a landmark in statistical science, becoming the first to employ probability sampling for supplemental questions, a technique championed by statisticians like Morris Hansen. Enumerators visited every household but asked additional questions of only a 5% sample of the population, increasing the depth of data without overburdening the entire process. Other major innovations included the official designation of standard metropolitan areas and the introduction of questions on place of residence five years prior, designed to track the massive internal migrations caused by the Dust Bowl and the search for industrial work in cities like Detroit and Los Angeles.

Data collected

The standard schedule gathered core demographic data such as name, address, relationship to head of household, and value of home. Reflecting the economic concerns of the era, it included detailed inquiries on employment status, occupation, industry, and income for the first time. The supplemental questions for the sampled population delved into parental place of birth, veteran status, and for women, marriage history and number of children born. This wealth of information created an unprecedented profile of American economic life, detailing participation in programs like the Civilian Conservation Corps and capturing the realities of widespread unemployment.

Population findings

The national population increase to 132.2 million represented the lowest recorded growth rate between censuses up to that time, largely attributed to declining birth rates during the Great Depression. The geographic center of population moved to two miles southeast of Carlisle, Indiana, indicating a continued westward shift. New York remained the most populous state, while the most rapid growth occurred in California, Florida, and the District of Columbia. The data quantified the Great Migration, showing increased African American populations in northern cities like Chicago and Philadelphia, and detailed the severe poverty in regions such as Appalachia and the Deep South.

Impact and legacy

The statistical findings were immediately used for congressional reapportionment, with states like California gaining seats while others in the Midwest lost representation. The socio-economic data proved invaluable for transitioning the peacetime economy to a war footing, guiding the placement of defense plants and the implementation of the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940. As a foundational genealogical resource, its public release in 2012 provided vital links for family historians. Methodologically, its success with sampling established the standard for future censuses and surveys, directly influencing the design of the ongoing Current Population Survey conducted by the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Category:1940 in the United States Category:United States censuses Category:1940 censuses