EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
BASIC EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS [Abstract]
Numerator - net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 23,297	$ 22,529
Denominator - Weighted average shares outstanding	38,882	36,465
DILUTED EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
Numerator - net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 23,297	$ 22,529
Denominator - Weighted average shares outstanding	38,882	36,465
Unvested restricted stock	79	61
Total Shares	38,961	36,526