EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
BASIC EPS COMPUTATION FOR NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS [Abstract]
Numerator - net income available to common stockholders	$ 157,557	$ 108,363	$ 121,662
Denominator - weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	40,255	39,185	37,442
DILUTED PER COMMON SHARE DATA FOR NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS [Abstract]
Numerator - net income available to common stockholders	$ 157,557	$ 108,363	$ 121,662
Denominator: [Abstract]
Weighted average shares outstanding	40,255	39,185	37,442
Unvested restricted stock (in shares)	122	111	85
Total Shares (in shares)	40,377	39,296	37,527