EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019		Sep. 30, 2019		Jun. 30, 2019		Mar. 31, 2019		Dec. 31, 2018		Sep. 30, 2018		Jun. 30, 2018		Mar. 31, 2018		Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
BASIC EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS [Abstract]
Numerator - net income available to common stockholders	$ 49,609		$ 22,571		$ 26,953		$ 22,529		$ 18,556		$ 23,010		$ 18,227		$ 28,713		$ 121,662	$ 88,506	$ 83,183
Denominator - weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	38,561	[1]	37,771	[1]	36,944	[1]	36,465	[1]	36,135	[1]	35,716	[1]	35,196	[1]	34,689	[1]	37,442	35,439	33,996
DILUTED PER COMMON SHARE DATA FOR NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS [Abstract]
Numerator - net income available to common stockholders	$ 49,609		$ 22,571		$ 26,953		$ 22,529		$ 18,556		$ 23,010		$ 18,227		$ 28,713		$ 121,662	$ 88,506	$ 83,183
Denominator: [Abstract]
Weighted average shares outstanding	38,561	[1]	37,771	[1]	36,944	[1]	36,465	[1]	36,135	[1]	35,716	[1]	35,196	[1]	34,689	[1]	37,442	35,439	33,996
Unvested restricted stock (in shares)																	85	67	51
Total Shares (in shares)	38,687	[1]	37,869	[1]	37,019	[1]	36,526	[1]	36,232	[1]	35,798	[1]	35,259	[1]	34,736	[1]	37,527	35,506	34,047

[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.