Chikaming Township was established once the Miami people were deported from their land in Southwest Michigan.

[4] Although most traces of native history have been erased from the area, the name "Chikaming" (historically also spelled "Chickaming") is derived from one of the Algonquin languages meaning "lake".

The U.S. Census Bureau recognizes the Shorewood-Tower Hills-Harbert census-designated place in the northern third of the township for statistical purposes.

[7] Interstate 94 passes northeast–southwest through the township, parallel to the Lake Michigan shoreline.

28.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.