It is a part of the Mansfield Metropolitan Statistical Area.Located in the southern part of the county, it borders the following townships: Parts of three municipalities are located in Washington Township: the city of Mansfield — the county seat of Richland County — in the north, the village of Bellville in the south, and the village of Lexington in the west.It is one of forty-three Washington 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.