The spelling "Paxtang" is from the original Indian name Peshtank, which meant "standing water".

The word "Dauphin" refers to the Dauphin of France, heir apparent to the French throne, whose country the area government wanted to honor for its assistance in the Revolutionary War.

[6] As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 3,930 people, 1,458 households, and 1,096 families residing in the township.

There were 1,528 housing units at an average density of 58.8 per square mile (22.7/km2).

20.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.