QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - UNAUDITED (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Sep. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2012		Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Sep. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2011		Mar. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 47,094		$ 46,701		$ 46,369		$ 46,568		$ 43,877		$ 43,780		$ 43,099		$ 43,124
Expenses	(39,301)		(39,937)		(40,289)		(41,307)		(37,437)		(38,069)		(37,556)		(38,260)
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	7,793		6,764		6,080		5,261		6,440		5,711		5,543		4,864		25,898	22,558	18,605
INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS	4,592		133		2,004		261		86		80		72		38		6,989	276	150
NET INCOME	12,385		6,897		8,084		5,522		6,526		5,791		5,615		4,902		32,887	22,834	18,755
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in joint ventures	(147)		(126)		(111)		(119)		(121)		(121)		(123)		(110)		(503)	(475)	(430)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS	$ 12,238		$ 6,771		$ 7,973		$ 5,403		$ 6,405		$ 5,670		$ 5,492		$ 4,792		$ 32,384	$ 22,359	$ 18,325
BASIC PER COMMON SHARE DATA FOR NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
Net income attributable to common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.41	[1]	$ 0.23	[1]	$ 0.28	[1]	$ 0.20	[1]	$ 0.24	[1]	$ 0.21	[1]	$ 0.20	[1]	$ 0.18	[1]	$ 1.13	$ 0.83	$ 0.68
Weighted average shares outstanding	29,491	[1]	28,912	[1]	28,246	[1]	27,647	[1]	27,116	[1]	26,839	[1]	26,820	[1]	26,809	[1]	28,577	26,897	26,752
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)	$ 0.41	[1]	$ 0.23	[1]	$ 0.28	[1]	$ 0.19	[1]	$ 0.24	[1]	$ 0.21	[1]	$ 0.20	[1]	$ 0.18	[1]	$ 1.13	$ 0.83	$ 0.68
Weighted average shares outstanding	29,614	[1]	29,030	[1]	28,341	[1]	27,718	[1]	27,206	[1]	26,914	[1]	26,897	[1]	26,873	[1]	28,677	26,971	26,824

[1] The above quarterly earnings per share calculations are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each quarter for basic earnings per share and the weighted average number of outstanding common shares and common share equivalents during each quarter for diluted earnings per share. The annual earnings per share calculations in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each year for basic earnings per share and the weighted average number of outstanding common shares and common share equivalents during each year for diluted earnings per share. The sum of quarterly financial data may vary from the annual data due to rounding.