Pembina is a name derived from a Native American language meaning a type of cranberry.

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 471 people, 178 households, and 142 families residing in the township.

The population density was 12.9 people per square mile (5.0 people/km2).

There were 178 households, out of which 32.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.0% were married couples living together, 3.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.7% were non-families.

18.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.