Brownhelm Township’s beginning was in 1817 when the families of Levi Shepherd, Slyvester Barnum, and Stephan James arrived July 4 1817, to become the first families to settle there. The township was part of Black River Township, however in 1818 the residents petitioned the commissioners for separation. 

As of the 2020 census, the population was 7,877.

Brownhelm has one of the better township websites in Lorain County.