EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
BASIC EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS [Abstract]
Numerator – net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 23,010	$ 15,884	$ 69,950	$ 65,593
Denominator - Weighted average shares outstanding	35,716	34,215	35,204	33,857
DILUTED EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
Numerator – net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 23,010	$ 15,884	$ 69,950	$ 65,593
Denominator - Weighted average shares outstanding	35,716	34,215	35,204	33,857
Unvested restricted stock	82	75	61	48
Total Shares	35,798	34,290	35,265	33,905