EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
BASIC EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS [Abstract]
Numerator - net income available to common stockholders	$ 6,405	$ 5,670	$ 5,492	$ 4,792	$ 4,922	$ 4,023	$ 4,477	$ 4,903	$ 22,359	$ 18,325	$ 26,659
Denominator - weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	27,116	26,839	26,820	26,809	26,769	26,758	26,748	26,735	26,897	26,752	25,590
DILUTED EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS [Abstract]
Numerator - net income available to common stockholders	$ 6,405	$ 5,670	$ 5,492	$ 4,792	$ 4,922	$ 4,023	$ 4,477	$ 4,903	$ 22,359	$ 18,325	$ 26,659
Denominator: [Abstract]
Weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	27,116	26,839	26,820	26,809	26,769	26,758	26,748	26,735	26,897	26,752	25,590
Common stock options (in shares)									6	11	19
Nonvested restricted stock (in shares)									68	61	81
Total Shares (in shares)	27,206	26,914	26,897	26,873	26,864	26,828	26,815	26,794	26,971	26,824	25,690

The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period.

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Number of [basic] shares or units, after adjustment for contingently issuable shares or units and other shares or units not deemed outstanding, determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares or units have been outstanding to the total time in that period.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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