The area was before 1870 was called Upper Kaiwarra (a corruption of Kaiwharawhara), after 1870 Crofton (including neighbouring Ngaio).

[3] Crofton Downs taking its name from a house built in the 1857 by then Premier, William Fox.

Doris Gordon Crescent is named after the New Zealand doctor who, as a child, resided nearby.

The veterinary clinic which was part of the supermarket complex has moved to nearby Thatcher Crescent.

[14] Now located on Churchill Drive on the southern part of Crofton Downs, it was established on Bowen Street opposite Parliament in 1912.

A BUPA retirement village opened in Crofton Downs next to Bowen Hospital in 2022.

Huntleigh Park forms the northern edge of Crofton Downs with neighbouring Ngaio, Trelissick Park runs to the east of the train station and line and Otari-Wilton's Bush to the south east.

Huntleigh Park provides a backup community water facility in case an emergency event such as an earthquake disrupts supplies.

In addition, on weekdays the number 22 bus route runs between Johnsonville and Wellington with stops in Crofton Downs.

Crofton Downs was the first New Zealand Suburb to be declared predator-free after local community group, Predator Free Crofton Downs, arranged stoat and rat traps for over 200 households throughout the suburb.