The township was named after a local Ojibwe (Chippewa) chief who lived in the area from 1781 to 1881.

21.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

Nottawa Township is served by four separate public school districts.

The western portion of the township is served by Chippewa Hills School District in the community of Remus, Michigan to the west in Mecosta County.

A very small portion of the southeast corner of the township is served by Mount Pleasant City School District in the city of Mount Pleasant.