QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - UNAUDITED (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Sep. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2014		Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 59,148		$ 63,693		$ 54,037		$ 53,128		$ 53,918		$ 51,427		$ 49,351		$ 48,424
Expenses	(46,292)		(45,832)		(44,795)		(44,614)		(45,137)		(42,932)		(41,596)		(41,117)
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	12,856		17,861		9,242		8,514		8,781		8,495		7,755		7,307		48,473	32,338	26,017
INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS	0		0		0		0		832		19		35		1		0	887	6,870
NET INCOME	12,856		17,861		9,242		8,514		9,613		8,514		7,790		7,308		48,473	33,225	32,887
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in joint ventures	(134)		(132)		(124)		(142)		(158)		(151)		(147)		(154)		(532)	(610)	(503)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS	$ 12,722		$ 17,729		$ 9,118		$ 8,372		$ 9,455		$ 8,363		$ 7,643		$ 7,154		$ 47,941	$ 32,615	$ 32,384
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)	$ 0.40	[1]	$ 0.56	[1]	$ 0.29	[1]	$ 0.27	[1]	$ 0.31	[1]	$ 0.28	[1]	$ 0.25	[1]	$ 0.24	[1]	$ 1.53	$ 1.08	$ 1.13
Weighted average shares outstanding	31,892	[1]	31,515	[1]	31,137	[1]	30,806	[1]	30,556	[1]	30,281	[1]	29,991	[1]	29,809	[1]	31,341	30,162	28,577
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)	$ 0.40	[1]	$ 0.56	[1]	$ 0.29	[1]	$ 0.27	[1]	$ 0.31	[1]	$ 0.28	[1]	$ 0.25	[1]	$ 0.24	[1]	$ 1.52	$ 1.08	$ 1.13
Weighted average shares outstanding	32,043	[1]	31,644	[1]	31,244	[1]	30,886	[1]	30,699	[1]	30,400	[1]	30,096	[1]	29,890	[1]	31,452	30,269	28,677

[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.