This information is from Ken Thomas' genealogy column:   The 1940 census is schedules to be released next year on April 2, 2012.   The census will only be available in digital form (no microfilm).   It will be available at National Archives research centers and on commercial websites.   It does not have a name index, but work will begin on an index after its release.   Searching can be done by enumeration district for the city or town where the person lived   See www.archives.gov and go to "research" and then "census," where you will find more on the 1940 census.