EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
BASIC EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS [Abstract]
Numerator – net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 12,819	$ 21,711
Denominator - Weighted average shares outstanding	33,361	32,254
DILUTED EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
Numerator – net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 12,819	$ 21,711
Denominator - Weighted average shares outstanding	33,361	32,254
Unvested restricted stock	48	53
Total Shares	33,409	32,307