EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
BASIC EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS [Abstract]
Numerator – net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 11,968	$ 17,729	$ 36,431	$ 35,219
Denominator - Weighted average shares outstanding	32,126	31,515	32,068	31,156
DILUTED EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
Numerator – net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 11,968	$ 17,729	$ 36,431	$ 35,219
Denominator - Weighted average shares outstanding	32,126	31,515	32,068	31,156
Unvested restricted stock	122	129	92	100
Total Shares	32,248	31,644	32,160	31,256