The unincorporated community of Oak Center is located in the township.

[3] Gillford Township was organized in 1858, and named after a pioneer settler and his wife.

[4] According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 35.4 square miles (92 km2), all of it land.

There were 195 housing units at an average density of 5.5 per square mile (2.1/km2).

15.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.