Freeland Township was organized in 1880, and named for J. P. Free, an early settler.

[3] According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 36.4 square miles (94 km2), all land.

The racial makeup of the township was 98.43% White, 0.79% Native American and 0.79% Asian.

28.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 22.0% of families and 21.7% of the population living below the poverty line, including 35.7% of under eighteens and 11.8% of those over 64.