🔍

Exeter

NSW 2579 • Rest of NSW

1,087
Population (2021)
$99,528
Median Household Income
51.54 km²
Area
$400/wk
Median Rent
HistoricRuralRetireesSouthern HighlandsHeritage

About Exeter

Exeter is a charming rural village nestled in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, situated at an elevation of 704 metres within the Wingecarribee Shire, approximately 130 kilometres southwest of Sydney. Home to around 1,087 residents, the village is renowned for its cool temperate climate, rolling green pastures, and well-preserved heritage character. Exeter sits on the Main Southern Railway line and retains a historic railway station precinct, which is heritage-listed at the State level.

The village attracts sea-changers, retirees, and lifestyle seekers drawn to its peaceful ambience, scenic countryside, and tight-knit community. With a median age of 53, Exeter skews older than the national average, reflecting its popularity as a retreat from city life. The famous Exeter Store and local cafes anchor the village's social life, while proximity to Bowral and Moss Vale provides access to broader services, schools, and shopping.

Exeter falls under postcode 2579 and is governed by Wingecarribee Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Goulburn electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2579
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Wingecarribee
Federal Electorate
Whitlam
State Electorate
Goulburn
Type
Rural
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.62°, 150.29°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
51.54 km²
Elevation
704m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

Median sale prices in Exeter for 2025. Based on every residential settlement recorded by the NSW Valuer General in 2025.

🏡House
$1.72M
25 sales · ▼ 20% vs 2024

Source: NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information. Strata-titled sales are counted as units; all others as houses. Suburbs with fewer than 5 sales in a category are omitted.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$400
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,383
Avg Household Size
2.5 people
Median Age
53 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Exeter Station
0.3 km
4 min

Bus Services

  • Dion's Bus Service — Bowral / Moss Vale 15-25 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
130 km
By Train
approx. 2 hrs to Central via Moss Vale
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 45 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr 30 min

🛣️ Exeter Station is on the Main Southern Line. Limited direct services; most require a change at Moss Vale.

Walkability Car Dependent

Small village walkable to local stores and station; car needed for most errands.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There are 3 heritage-listed places in or near Exeter, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Golden Vale
Golden Vale Road, Sutton Forest • SHR #00489
Hillview
Old Illawarra Highway, Sutton Forest • SHR #00442
Exeter Railway Station group
Main Southern railway, Exeter • SHR #01142

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Wingecarribee Local Government Area, which contains Exeter. Rates are per 100,000 residents; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods ending Dec 2025.

Break & enter (dwelling)
84 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 8.1%
Motor vehicle theft
54.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Non-DV assault
257.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 4.2%
Robbery (unarmed)
nc / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
84 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 10.3%
View all 62 offence types for Wingecarribee →

Source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
949
Census 2021
1,087
▲ 14.5% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$35,672
Personal Income 2021
$45,396
▲ 27.3% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$45,396 / yr
$873/wk
Household
$99,528 / yr
$1914/wk
Family
$118,196 / yr
$2273/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 859
Born Overseas 175

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 71
  • 2. New Zealand 20
  • 3. South Africa 8
  • 4. Scotland 7
  • 5. Germany 5
  • 6. Philippines 5
  • 7. Ireland 4
  • 8. Netherlands 4
  • 9. Canada 3
  • 10. Greece 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 493
Australian 401
Scottish 196
Irish 154
German 42
Italian 28
Greek 16
Dutch 13
Australian Aboriginal 10
Chinese 8

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

681
Both parents born in Australia
223
Both parents born overseas
139
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
53.6%
No Religion
39.7%
Buddhism
0.6%
Judaism
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
55 (5.1%)
5-14 years
129 (11.9%)
15-19 years
40 (3.7%)
20-24 years
31 (2.9%)
25-34 years
60 (5.5%)
35-44 years
103 (9.5%)
45-54 years
136 (12.5%)
55-64 years
167 (15.4%)
65-74 years
203 (18.7%)
75-84 years
133 (12.2%)
85+ years
16 (1.5%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Exeter NSW located? +

Exeter is a rural village in the Southern Highlands, about 130 kilometres southwest of Sydney in the Wingecarribee Shire, at an elevation of 704 metres.

Is there a train station in Exeter NSW? +

Yes, Exeter has a heritage-listed railway station on the Main Southern Line. Trains run to Sydney Central, typically requiring a change at Moss Vale, with the journey taking approximately 2 hours.

What is the weather like in Exeter NSW? +

Exeter has a cool temperate climate due to its elevation of 704 metres. Winters are cold with occasional frosts and snowfalls, while summers are mild and pleasant, typically 10-15°C cooler than Sydney.

What is Exeter known for? +

Exeter is known for its heritage character, the famous Exeter Store, picturesque countryside, and as a popular lifestyle destination in the Southern Highlands.

What is the average income in Exeter? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Exeter is about $873 per week (around $45,400 per year). The median household income is $1,914 per week and the median family income is $2,273 per week.

What is the median house price in Exeter? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $1,720,000, down 20% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Exeter? +

The median age in Exeter is 53. The largest age group is 65–74 (203 residents, around 19%). Around 21% of residents are under 20 and about 32% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Exeter a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Exeter is part of the Wingecarribee LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

What is the population of Exeter? +

Exeter had a population of 1,087 at the 2021 Census, up 14.5% from 949 in 2016.

How much is rent in Exeter? +

In Exeter, the median weekly rent is $400, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,383 (2021 Census).