Located in the southeastern corner of the county, it borders the following townships: The two tiny villages of Butlerville and Pleasant Plain are located in Harlan Township, as well as the unincorporated community of Level.

The township is governed by a three-member board of trustees, who are elected in November of odd-numbered years to a four-year term beginning on the following January 1.

The Little Miami, Blanchester, Goshen, and Clinton Massie school districts serve the township.

Mail is delivered through the Pleasant Plain, Clarksville, Morrow, Goshen, and Blanchester post offices.

The Little Miami Telephone Company's Butlerville exchange serves most of the township, but parts of Harlan Township lie in the Little Miami, Blanchester, Morrow, and Clarksville telephone exchanges.