[1] The suburb of Norlane was named after Norman Lane, a local serviceman from the district, who died working on the Thai-Burma Railway in 1943, after being captured in Singapore.

[3] With the enormous demand for housing in the early 1950s, people resorted to living in small dwellings, tents and partially-completed buildings.

The Housing Commission of Victoria provided accommodation for families unable to rent or to afford the purchase of their own home.

Much of the housing was for employees at the nearby Ford Motor Company, International Harvester, Shell, Pilkington Glass, Henderson's Springs and Pivot Phosphate factories.

The suburb contains one site listed on the Victorian Heritage Register, the Ford Motor Company Complex on the Princes Highway (Melbourne Road).

[5] Residents enjoy generous land parcels, ample backyards with single story weatherboard housing built during the 1960s on 600 to 800 square metres blocks, progressively brick based sud-division buildings and double story dwellings on approximately 300 square metre lots are beginning to become more common, with higher rise especially where views of the peninsula from a higher rise viewpoint are applicable.

A majority of residents of are employed (in decreasing order) in engineering (6.83%), management and commerce (2.2%) and food, hospitality and personal services industries (1.5%).

[5] Affordable housing close to shopping, transport and Geelong's largest employers make Norlane a popular suburb.

Labuan Square, and other smaller shopping precincts around Norlane provide residents convenience within walking distance.