EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
BASIC EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS [Abstract]
Numerator - net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 30,771	$ 24,401	$ 85,668	$ 71,182
Denominator - Weighted average shares outstanding	40,434	39,338	40,058	39,077
DILUTED EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
Numerator - net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 30,771	$ 24,401	$ 85,668	$ 71,182
Denominator - Weighted average shares outstanding	40,434	39,338	40,058	39,077
Denominator - Unvested restricted stock	133	112	107	91
Total Shares, denominator diluted EPS	40,567	39,450	40,165	39,168