EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
BASIC EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS [Abstract]
Numerator - net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 23,484	$ 26,953	$ 46,781	$ 49,482
Denominator - Weighted average shares outstanding	39,007	36,944	38,945	36,705
DILUTED EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
Numerator - net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 23,484	$ 26,953	$ 46,781	$ 49,482
Denominator - Weighted average shares outstanding	39,007	36,944	38,945	36,705
Unvested restricted stock	70	75	74	65
Total Shares	39,077	37,019	39,019	36,770