[3] The township is named after Stephen Hopkins, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

[4] The city of Wayland is not within the township, but is adjacent to it in the northeast corner.

The main tributaries in the township are Bear Creek, flowing from the southwest and Miller Creek, flowing from the southeast, both merging into the Rabbit River about one mile northeast of Hopkins.

Buskirk Creek flows from the east into the Rabbit in the central part of the township.

16.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.