The township's history includes several notable names William Penn, Benjamin Franklin, and George Washington.

[5] According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 19.2 square miles (50 km2), all land.

It is drained by the French Creek eastward into the Schuylkill River and areas near the border with Berks County are mountainous, exceeding 250 metres (825 feet) in places.

Unincorporated communities in the township include Knauertown, Pine Swamp, St. Peters, Trythall and Warwick.

French Creek State Park is partially located in the township and also in Berks County.

20.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

PA 23 follows Ridge Road along an east-west alignment across the southern portion of the township.