7km north of the CBD, Epsom borders White Hills, Huntly, Ascot and Eaglehawk and is a fast-growing, family-friendly suburb. 

VIEW HOUSES FOR SALE IN EPSOM

VIEW HOUSES TO RENT IN EPSOM

Whilst there is no definitive story behind Epsom’s name, it is assumed it was named after the horse racing town of Epsom Downs in Surrey, England. Bendigo Racecourse sits just on the outskirts of Epsom, in White Hills. Ascot, also north of White Hills and across the railway line to the east of Epsom, is named after another well-known English horse racing town.  

Mined for gold in the 1850s, Epsom sits on the intersection of Bendigo Creek and Piccaninny Creek. It wasn’t long before industrious locals recognised that soil – which was rich enough with gold to warrant 16 crushing mills and 12 horse puddling machines – also made for excellent pottery clay. Scottish immigrant, George Guthrie, opened Bendigo Pottery in 1858, a business that today holds the title of ‘Australia’s oldest working pottery’.  

With the growth of Bendigo Pottery (and, later, an iron foundry and Goyne’s steam stamper grating factory – neither of which exist today), the suburb also grew – the mid-1800s seeing the development of an Anglican school, a Catholic school, a Wesleyan church and a police station. By the late 1800s, with the diggings closing up, the land was predominantly used for a popular household trend and Bendigo Pottery quickly became one of Bendigo’s greatest tourist attractions. 

This influx of visitors generated an increase in sales for local producers and the market garden and poultry farm owners soon began selling goods at a Sunday market. This weekly tradition – the ‘Epsom Market’ – continued until 2004 (with a similar market now open weekly at the Bendigo Showgrounds in North Bendigo). A number of housing estates have been established over the last two decades, and the Epsom Village Shopping Centre and new Epsom railway station perfectly service the infrastructure. 

A primary school, post office, public hall and sports centre also support the growing population.

Epsom at a glance

Information based on 2021 Census results

Population: 5,014

Male: 48.4%

Female: 51.6%

Median age: 32

Families: 1,381

Private dwellings: 1,920

Average people per household: 2.7

Median monthly mortgage repayments: $1,473

Median weekly rent: $340