DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 10, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	SOUTHSIDE BANCSHARES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000705432
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 361,632,844
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding		17,918,862
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2013