[3] The boroughs of Atwood and Rural Valley are located within the township, which also includes the villages of Barnards, Blanco, Bryan, Hoosicks Mill, Lumstead, Margaret, Meredith, NuMine, Rose Valley, Sagamore, Smeltzer and Yatesboro.

[4] As of the 2000 census,[6] of , there were 3,006 people, 1,121 households, and 830 families residing in the township.

There were 1,210 housing units at an average density of 26.5 per square mile (10.2/km2).

23.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

Cowanshannock Township appears in the 1876 Atlas of Armstrong County, Pennsylvania.