The unincorporated communities of Riverside and Lake Michigan Beach (also known as "Hagar Shores") are within the township.

Charles Lamb and his wife came to the area from Vermont in 1839 to become the first European-American settlers.

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 3,964 people, 1,639 households, and 1,085 families residing in the township.

There were 2,122 housing units at an average density of 114.2 per square mile (44.1/km2).

27.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.