EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
BASIC EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS [Abstract]
Numerator - net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 24,401	$ 22,571	$ 71,182	$ 72,053
Denominator - Weighted average shares outstanding	39,338	37,771	39,077	37,064
DILUTED EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
Numerator - net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 24,401	$ 22,571	$ 71,182	$ 72,053
Denominator - Weighted average shares outstanding	39,338	37,771	39,077	37,064
Unvested restricted stock	112	98	91	72
Total Shares	39,450	37,869	39,168	37,136