QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS UNAUDITED (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, 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
QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - UNAUDITED [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 44,305	$ 44,142	$ 43,445	$ 43,456	$ 42,118	$ 43,316	$ 43,765	$ 44,635
Expenses	37,779	38,351	37,830	38,554	37,073	39,190	39,187	39,629
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS									22,834	18,755	27,204
Income (loss) from discontinued operations									0	0	(110)
Net income	6,526	5,791	5,615	4,902	5,045	4,126	4,578	5,006	22,834	18,755	27,094
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in joint ventures	121	121	123	110	123	103	101	103	(475)	(430)	(435)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS	$ 6,405	$ 5,670	$ 5,492	$ 4,792	$ 4,922	$ 4,023	$ 4,477	$ 4,903	$ 22,359	$ 18,325	$ 26,659
BASIC PER COMMON SHARE DATA FOR NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS [Abstract]
Net income attributable to common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.24	$ 0.21	$ 0.20	$ 0.18	$ 0.18	$ 0.15	$ 0.17	$ 0.18	$ 0.83	$ 0.68	$ 1.04
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 PER COMMON SHARE DATA FOR NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS [Abstract]
Net income attributable to common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.24	$ 0.21	$ 0.20	$ 0.18	$ 0.18	$ 0.15	$ 0.17	$ 0.18	$ 0.83	$ 0.68	$ 1.04
Weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	27,206	26,914	26,897	26,873	26,864	26,828	26,815	26,794	26,971	26,824	25,690