EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
BASIC EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS [Abstract]
Numerator – net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 36,890	$ 43,913	$ 49,709	$ 65,624
Denominator - Weighted average shares outstanding	33,987	32,376	33,676	32,315
DILUTED EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
Numerator – net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 36,890	$ 43,913	$ 49,709	$ 65,624
Denominator - Weighted average shares outstanding	33,987	32,376	33,676	32,315
Unvested restricted stock	53	64	46	55
Total Shares	34,040	32,440	33,722	32,370