EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
BASIC EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS [Abstract]
Numerator - net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 26,953	$ 18,227	$ 49,482	$ 46,940
Denominator - Weighted average shares outstanding	36,944	35,196	36,705	34,944
DILUTED EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
Numerator - net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 26,953	$ 18,227	$ 49,482	$ 46,940
Denominator - Weighted average shares outstanding	36,944	35,196	36,705	34,944
Unvested restricted stock	75	63	65	54
Total Shares	37,019	35,259	36,770	34,998