[2] In the Iroquois language, "Conewago" (or "Conewaugha") means “at the place of the rapids.” According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 24.7 square miles (64 km2), of which 24.4 square miles (63 km2) is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km2), or 0.93%, is water.

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 5,278 people, 2,005 households, and 1,499 families residing in the township.

There were 2,005 households, out of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.8% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.2% were non-families.

19.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

Conewago Township is served by the Northeastern York School District.