The 2020 census found 846 people in the township, 328 of whom lived in the village of Wharton.

Located in the western part of the county, it borders the following townships: Two villages are located in Richland Township: Wharton in the center, and part of Forest in the southwest along the border with Hardin County.

It is one of twelve Richland Townships statewide.

[4] 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.

There is also an elected township fiscal officer,[5] who serves a four-year term beginning on April 1 of the year after the election, which is held in November of the year before the presidential election.