EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
BASIC EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS [Abstract]
Numerator – net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 43,913	$ 14,533	$ 65,624	$ 24,463
Denominator - Weighted average shares outstanding	32,376	32,045	32,315	32,039
DILUTED EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
Numerator – net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 43,913	$ 14,533	$ 65,624	$ 24,463
Denominator - Weighted average shares outstanding	32,376	32,045	32,315	32,039
Unvested restricted stock	64	94	55	82
Total Shares	32,440	32,139	32,370	32,121