Document and Entity Information (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 18, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	EastGroup Properties Inc
Entity Central Index Key	0000049600
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 1,639,408,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		31,299,928
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2014