[3] Hillsdale Township was organized in 1858, and named for the hills and dales within its borders.

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 945 people, 367 households, and 249 families residing in the township.

There were 385 housing units at an average density of 24.0 per square mile (9.3/km2).

There were 367 households, out of which 38.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.5% were married couples living together, 16.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.9% were non-families.

21.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.