EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
BASIC EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS [Abstract]
Numerator – net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 28,713	$ 12,819
Denominator - Weighted average shares outstanding	34,689	33,361
DILUTED EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
Numerator – net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 28,713	$ 12,819
Denominator - Weighted average shares outstanding	34,689	33,361
Unvested restricted stock	47	48
Total Shares	34,736	33,409