Deerwood Township was organized in 1888, and named for the deer and woodland within its borders.

[3] According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 35.6 square miles (92 km2), all land.

There were 89 housing units at an average density of 2.5 per square mile (0.97/km2).

19.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

About 23.2% of families and 23.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.9% of those under the age of eighteen and 34.3% of those 65 or over.