EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018		Sep. 30, 2018		Jun. 30, 2018		Mar. 31, 2018		Dec. 31, 2017		Sep. 30, 2017		Jun. 30, 2017		Mar. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
BASIC EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS [Abstract]
Numerator - net income available to common stockholders	$ 18,556		$ 23,010		$ 18,227		$ 28,713		$ 17,590		$ 15,884		$ 36,890		$ 12,819		$ 88,506	$ 83,183	$ 95,509
Denominator - weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	36,135	[1]	35,716	[1]	35,196	[1]	34,689	[1]	34,406	[1]	34,215	[1]	33,987	[1]	33,361	[1]	35,439	33,996	32,563
DILUTED PER COMMON SHARE DATA FOR NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS [Abstract]
Numerator - net income available to common stockholders	$ 18,556		$ 23,010		$ 18,227		$ 28,713		$ 17,590		$ 15,884		$ 36,890		$ 12,819		$ 88,506	$ 83,183	$ 95,509
Denominator: [Abstract]
Weighted average shares outstanding	36,135	[1]	35,716	[1]	35,196	[1]	34,689	[1]	34,406	[1]	34,215	[1]	33,987	[1]	33,361	[1]	35,439	33,996	32,563
Unvested restricted stock (in shares)																	67	51	65
Total Shares (in shares)	36,232	[1]	35,798	[1]	35,259	[1]	34,736	[1]	34,505	[1]	34,290	[1]	34,040	[1]	33,409	[1]	35,506	34,047	32,628

[1] The above quarterly earnings per share calculations are based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each quarter for basic earnings per share and the weighted average number of outstanding shares of common stock and common stock 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 shares of common stock outstanding during each year for basic earnings per share and the weighted average number of outstanding shares of common stock and common stock 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.