Located in the southeastern corner of the county, it borders the following townships: Two incorporated villages are located in Short Creek Township: Adena in the northeast, and Harrisville in the southeast.

The township is named for Short Creek, a local tributary of the Ohio River.

[citation needed] It is the only Short Creek Township 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.