[3] The township is named after John Norvell, one of Michigan's first U.S. senators.

[6] Norvell Township occupies the southeast corner of Jackson County.

The township contains 717 acres (290 ha) of Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve, owned by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

[7] As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 2,922 people, 1,135 households, and 831 families residing in the township.

22.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.