EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
BASIC EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS [Abstract]
Numerator – net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 18,227	$ 36,890	$ 46,940	$ 49,709
Denominator - Weighted average shares outstanding	35,196	33,987	34,944	33,676
DILUTED EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
Numerator – net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 18,227	$ 36,890	$ 46,940	$ 49,709
Denominator - Weighted average shares outstanding	35,196	33,987	34,944	33,676
Unvested restricted stock	63	53	54	46
Total Shares	35,259	34,040	34,998	33,722