Milton

NSW 2538 • Rest of NSW

1,801
Population (2021)
$31,304
Median Income
16.34 km²
Area
$383/wk
Median Rent
HistoricFamily-FriendlyCoastalNature

About Milton

Milton is a charming historic village in the Shoalhaven local government area on the NSW South Coast, situated approximately 6 kilometres north-west of Ulladulla and 222 kilometres south-west of Sydney. The village was established in 1860 and sits on the Princes Highway at an elevation of 76 metres, offering a cooler, elevated character compared to the nearby coastal suburb of Mollymook Beach. The 2021 census recorded a population of 1,801, reflecting a community of permanent residents complemented by visitors drawn to the village's well-preserved heritage streetscape and artisan economy. Milton is known for its collection of boutique shops, galleries, cafes and heritage-listed buildings that line the main street.

Milton offers a relaxed, creative lifestyle that has made it one of the South Coast's most popular destination villages, attracting artists, retirees, weekenders and food lovers from Sydney and Canberra. The weekly Milton Ulladulla Farmers' Market and regular artisan events draw visitors to the village's vibrant community culture. Mollymook Beach and Ulladulla's harbour are just 6 kilometres to the south-east, providing easy coastal access. Sydney is approximately 2.5 hours by car via the Princes Highway or the Hume Highway/Kings Highway combination, and the Shoalhaven regional centre of Nowra is 59 kilometres to the north.

Milton falls under postcode 2538 and is governed by Shoalhaven Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the South Coast electorate.

📍 Location

Postcode
2538
Urban Area
Shoalhaven
LGA / Council
Federal Electorate
State Electorate
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-35.32°, 150.44°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
16.34 km²
Elevation
55m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Premier Motor Service / NSW TrainLink coach — Nowra / Sydney / Canberra ~1 hr to Nowra, ~3 hrs to Sydney

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
222 km
By Train
Not direct – no rail to Ulladulla; coach to Bomaderry/Nowra (~1 hr) then NSW TrainLink to Sydney (~2.5 hrs)
By Bus
~3.5 hrs (Premier Motor Service direct coach to Sydney)
By Car (Peak)
~2 hr 45 min via Princes Highway or Hume/Kings Highway
By Car (Off-Peak)
~2 hr 30 min

🛣️ No train station in the Milton–Ulladulla area. The nearest rail is at Bomaderry/Nowra (59 km north). Canberra is approximately 2 hours to the south-west via Kings Highway, making it an alternative urban connection for some residents.

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Milton's compact village centre is very walkable — the main street with shops, cafes and services is easily accessible on foot. However, surrounding rural residential areas require a car.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🔍 Crime Statistics

NSW crime data is provided by the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR). Use the interactive tool below to explore recorded crime incidents in Milton by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Milton Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

Data source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Search for "Milton" under Suburb

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$383
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,733
Avg Household Size
2.4 people
Median Age
55 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1.5%

5 state housing + 5 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,663
Census 2021
1,801
8.3% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$28,184
Income 2021
$31,304
11.1% increase

Income Comparison

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,452
Born Overseas 241

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 105
  • 2. New Zealand 25
  • 3. Scotland 11
  • 4. Germany 10
  • 5. United States 7
  • 6. Wales 7
  • 7. Ireland 6
  • 8. Greece 5
  • 9. India 5
  • 10. Malta 5

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 792
Australian 670
Irish 241
Scottish 225
German 63
Italian 61
Australian Aboriginal 40
Dutch 37
Welsh 26
Greek 25

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,135
Both parents born in Australia
277
Both parents born overseas
220
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
47.9%
No Religion
43.9%
Buddhism
1.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
85 (4.7%)
5-14 years
190 (10.5%)
15-19 years
83 (4.6%)
20-24 years
52 (2.9%)
25-34 years
118 (6.6%)
35-44 years
170 (9.4%)
45-54 years
188 (10.4%)
55-64 years
273 (15.2%)
65-74 years
333 (18.5%)
75-84 years
180 (10.0%)
85+ years
132 (7.3%)

Nearby Suburbs