Settled in the 1860s, Kerkhoven Township was named for a railroad promoter.

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 286 people, 109 households, and 79 families residing in the township.

There were 118 housing units at an average density of 3.3 per square mile (1.3/km2).

23.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

None of the families and 3.3% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 10.3% of those over 64.