In its core there are many protostars and many infrared sources; some of these sources, like IRAS18151−1208, are most probably very young high-mass stars. The older star population in this region has an average age of 4–5 million years, and its components are grouped in the open clusterNGC 6604.
Sh 2-54 belongs to an extended nebulosity that includes also the Eagle Nebula and the Omega Nebula. The young high-mass stars of this region constitute the SerpensOB1 and SerpensOB2 OB association.