The unincorporated community of Harborcreek is north of the township center, and the communities of Fairfield and Brookside, together comprising the Northwest Harborcreek census-designated place, are on the western side of the township.

Penn State Behrend is in the southwestern part of the township.

[4] As of the census[6] of 2010, there were 17,234 people, 6,155 households, and 4,372 families living in the township.

There were 6,461 housing units at an average density of 188.9 per square mile (72.9/km2).

24.2% of households were made up of individuals, and 12% were one person aged 65 or older.

At the 2000 census there were 15,178 people, 5,398 households, and 4,021 families living in the township.

There were 5,645 housing units at an average density of 164.8 per square mile (63.6/km2).