The township is named after Edward Breitung, a miner and U.S. Representative from Michigan.

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 5,930 people, 2,354 households, and 1,727 families residing in the township.

The population density was 91.1 inhabitants per square mile (35.2/km2).

There were 2,601 housing units at an average density of 40.0 per square mile (15.4/km2).

The racial makeup of the township was 98.35% White, 0.03% African American, 0.44% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.12% from other races, and 0.59% from two or more races.