Cranberry Township, in the southwestern corner of Butler County, Pennsylvania, was incorporated in 1804. The community's name is derived from the wild cranberries which used to grow in the area. Cranberry is chartered as a Township of the Second Class under the Pennsylvania Municipal Code. It covers 15,163 acres (23.69 square miles), and has a population of approximately 28,000 - up from just 14,816 in 1990.

One reason for Cranberry's rapid growth has been its location. Situated at the intersection of I-76 (the Pennsylvania Turnpike) I-79, and Routes 19 and 228, the community is easily accessible from virtually anywhere in the region. In addition, the opening of I-279 in 1989 cut travel time to Pittsburgh to less than half an hour.