The suburb takes its name from the Cloverlea homestead and property built and developed by David Buick MP between 1881 and his death during the influenza pandemic of 1918.

Mr Buick ran a successful horse stud in addition to farming sheep and cattle at Cloverlea.

[4][5] Under the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act 1915[6] the government purchased 273 acres (110.5 ha) from the Buick estate and allocated 15 sections by ballot held 5 November 1919 to servicemen and nurses returning from the First World War.

[10] The Mangaone Stream walkway runs along the edge of Cloverlea, it starts all the way in Milson and ends by the Manawatu River.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 53.2% had no religion, 33.8% were Christian, 1.1% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.6% were Hindu, 0.5% were Muslim, 0.2% were Buddhist and 2.2% had other religions.