EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
BASIC EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS [Abstract]
Numerator – net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 14,661	$ 11,968	$ 80,285	$ 36,431
Denominator - Weighted average shares outstanding	32,741	32,126	32,458	32,068
DILUTED EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
Numerator – net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 14,661	$ 11,968	$ 80,285	$ 36,431
Denominator - Weighted average shares outstanding	32,741	32,126	32,458	32,068
Unvested restricted stock	82	122	61	92
Total Shares	32,823	32,248	32,519	32,160