The entire township lies in the Virginia Military District and contains 21,210.72 acres (86 km2) of land.

The village of Sabina is located in eastern Richland Township, and the unincorporated communities of Reesville and Melvin are in the western part of the township.

It was erected by the County Commissioners on April 6, 1810[5] with the boundaries: On August 10, 1813, the Commissioners defined the boundaries more precisely: The townships of Wilson, Wayne, and Green were created entirely from Richland Township.

In March 1837, Wayne Township was erected from it and Wilson in August 1850.

The township is governed by a three-member board of trustees, who are elected in November of odd-numbered years to a four-year term beginning on the following January 1.