[1] Avonlea includes the neighborhood of Greencroft and is considered as part of the greater Marlborough postal area with which it also shares its fire and police service with.
In the early 1980s, a number of middle class black Zimbabweans moved to the area and soon formed the majority of the population by the mid nineties.
The community's population diversified after independence as middle class Shona moved in along with the development of the Westgate retail district just to the west.
[4] Despite these changes, the area continues to hang onto its neighborhood flavor and is home to a large community of middle income, Shona people with a smaller white minority.
Avonlea Shopping Centre host the bulk of retail in the area with OK Supermarket, various banks, restaurants and doctor's offices.