Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Oct. 20, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
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			$ 1,747,077,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		32,904,064
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2016