Deciphering Miscellaneous Codes Appended to the 1940 Census in One Step

Stephen P. Morse, PhD  &  Joel D. Weintraub, PhD

The codes that appear in the various lettered columns of the 1940 U.S. Census have been summarized in a book by Robert Jenkins . These codes were put on the census pages well after the enumeration was done, and therefore provide no additional information. However, sometimes knowing the code can help you determine the information in cases where the quality of the microfilm is poor or the handwriting of the enumerator is difficult to read.

To decipher the information, enter the codes from the appropriate census column into the boxes below.


Column A: relationship to head of household


Column B: highest school grade completed


Column C: birthplace


Column D: migration (partial list)


Column E: work status during week of March 24-30, 1940


Column F: occupation/industry -- see Deciphering 1940 Occupation Codes in One Step

Column G: birthplace of parent -- same encoding as in column C

Column I: veteran status


Column J: occupation/industry -- see Deciphering 1940 Occupation Codes in One Step

Column K: own or rent


Column L: value of home or monthly rent


Column M: farm and sex


Column N: color and nativity


Column O: age


Column P: marital status


Column Q: highest school grade completed -- same encoding as in column B

Column R: citizenship


Column S: work status during March 24-30, 1940 -- same encoding as in column E

Column T: hours worked during week of March 24 to 30, or weeks unemployed


Column U: occupation/industry -- see Deciphering 1940 Occupation Codes in One Step

Column V: weeks worked in 1939


Column W: wages in 1939


Column X: supplemental income in 1939


Column Y: relationship to head of household -- same encoding as in column A

Data presented here comes from
Procedural History of the 1940 Census of Population and Housing .

© Stephen P. Morse, 2011