Charlton Township is a community rich in history, as it emerged with lumbering and milling operations in 1875.

The town was named after Johanna Hanson, who is the wife of the president of the company.

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 1,330 people, 552 households, and 416 families residing in the township.

The racial makeup of the township was 98.42% White, 0.30% Native American, 0.15% Asian, and 1.13% from two or more races.

19.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.