EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
BASIC EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS [Abstract]
Numerator – net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 14,533	$ 9,118	$ 24,463	$ 17,490
Denominator - Weighted average shares outstanding	32,045	31,137	32,039	30,972
DILUTED EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
Numerator – net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 14,533	$ 9,118	$ 24,463	$ 17,490
Denominator - Weighted average shares outstanding	32,045	31,137	32,039	30,972
Unvested restricted stock	94	107	82	91
Total Shares	32,139	31,244	32,121	31,063