The principal settlement, later known as De Tour Village, was named as Warrenville on an 1848 map.

The village name was changed to DeTour in 1856 and the township followed suit.

The spelling of the village name was changed to "De Tour" in 1953.

[5] The township is bordered by the St. Marys River to the north, Lake Huron to the south, and De Tour Passage to the east, which separates the township from Drummond Island.

32.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.