EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
BASIC EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS [Abstract]
Numerator - net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 22,571	$ 23,010	$ 72,053	$ 69,950
Denominator - Weighted average shares outstanding	37,771	35,716	37,064	35,204
DILUTED EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
Numerator - net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 22,571	$ 23,010	$ 72,053	$ 69,950
Denominator - Weighted average shares outstanding	37,771	35,716	37,064	35,204
Unvested restricted stock	98	82	72	61
Total Shares	37,869	35,798	37,136	35,265