EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017		Sep. 30, 2017		Jun. 30, 2017		Mar. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016		Sep. 30, 2016		Jun. 30, 2016		Mar. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
BASIC EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS [Abstract]
Numerator - net income available to common stockholders	$ 17,590		$ 15,884		$ 36,890		$ 12,819		$ 15,224		$ 14,661		$ 43,913		$ 21,711		$ 83,183	$ 95,509	$ 47,866
Denominator - weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	34,406	[1]	34,215	[1]	33,987	[1]	33,361	[1]	32,874	[1]	32,741	[1]	32,376	[1]	32,254	[1]	33,996	32,563	32,091
DILUTED PER COMMON SHARE DATA FOR NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS [Abstract]
Numerator - net income available to common stockholders	$ 17,590		$ 15,884		$ 36,890		$ 12,819		$ 15,224		$ 14,661		$ 43,913		$ 21,711		$ 83,183	$ 95,509	$ 47,866
Denominator: [Abstract]
Weighted average shares outstanding	34,406	[1]	34,215	[1]	33,987	[1]	33,361	[1]	32,874	[1]	32,741	[1]	32,376	[1]	32,254	[1]	33,996	32,563	32,091
Unvested restricted stock (in shares)																	51	65	105
Total Shares (in shares)	34,505	[1]	34,290	[1]	34,040	[1]	33,409	[1]	32,964	[1]	32,823	[1]	32,440	[1]	32,307	[1]	34,047	32,628	32,196

[1] The above quarterly earnings per share calculations are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each quarter for basic earnings per share and the weighted average number of outstanding common shares and common share equivalents during each quarter for diluted earnings per share. The annual earnings per share calculations in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each year for basic earnings per share and the weighted average number of outstanding common shares and common share equivalents during each year for diluted earnings per share. The sum of quarterly financial data may vary from the annual data due to rounding.