EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
BASIC EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS [Abstract]
Numerator – net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 15,884	$ 14,661	$ 65,593	$ 80,285
Denominator - Weighted average shares outstanding	34,215	32,741	33,857	32,458
DILUTED EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
Numerator – net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 15,884	$ 14,661	$ 65,593	$ 80,285
Denominator - Weighted average shares outstanding	34,215	32,741	33,857	32,458
Unvested restricted stock	75	82	48	61
Total Shares	34,290	32,823	33,905	32,519