[3] The township is in eastern Adams County and surrounds the borough of New Oxford.

U.S. Route 30, the Lincoln Highway, passes through the township and through New Oxford, leading east to York and west to Gettysburg.

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 4,876 people, 1,694 households, and 1,233 families residing in the township.

There were 1,753 housing units at an average density of 180.0 per square mile (69.5/km2).

23.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.