The city of Petoskey is northeast of the township, and the township has a coastline along Little Traverse Bay with which Petoskey State Park is located.

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 5,269 people, 2,001 households, and 1,416 families residing in the township.

There were 2,969 housing units at an average density of 75.0 per square mile (29.0/km2).

The racial makeup of the township was 96.32% White, 0.09% African American, 1.73% Native American, 0.59% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 1.02% from two or more races.

23.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.