CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
REVENUES
Income from real estate operations	$ 174,484	$ 173,002	$ 172,273
Other income	147	124	81
Revenues	174,631	173,126	172,354
EXPENSES
Expenses from real estate operations	49,411	51,142	50,259
Depreciation and amortization	57,451	58,350	53,953
General and administrative	10,691	10,260	8,894
Acquisition costs	252	72	177
Expenses	117,805	119,824	113,283
OPERATING INCOME	56,826	53,302	59,071
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investment	347	335	320
Gain on sales of non-operating real estate	36	37	31
Other expense	0	(84)	0
Interest income	334	336	302
Interest expense	(34,709)	(35,171)	(32,520)
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	22,834	18,755	27,204
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Loss from real estate operations	0	0	(139)
Gain on sales of real estate investments	0	0	29
LOSS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS	0	0	(110)
NET INCOME	22,834	18,755	27,094
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in joint ventures	(475)	(430)	(435)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS	22,359	18,325	26,659
Income from continuing operations	22,359	18,325	26,769
Loss from discontinued operations	0	0	(110)
BASIC PER COMMON SHARE DATA FOR NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 0.83	$ 0.68	$ 1.04
Weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	26,897	26,752	25,590
DILUTED PER COMMON SHARE DATA FOR NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 0.83	$ 0.68	$ 1.04
Weighted average shares outstanding	26,971	26,824	25,690
AMOUNTS ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS	22,359	18,325	26,659
Income from continuing operations	22,359	18,325	26,769
Loss from discontinued operations	$ 0	$ 0	$ (110)