Located in the eastern part of the county along the Ohio River, it borders the following townships and city: West Virginia lies across the Ohio River to the east: Hancock County to the northeast, and Brooke County to the southeast.

Parts of southern Island Creek Township are occupied by the city of Steubenville, the county seat of Jefferson County.

As well, two incorporated municipalities are located in the township: part of the city of Toronto along the Ohio River in the northeast, and part of the village of Wintersville in the southwest.

[5] 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.

There is also an elected township fiscal officer,[6] who serves a four-year term beginning on April 1 of the year after the election, which is held in November of the year before the presidential election.