Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2011	Apr. 22, 2011
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
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 Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		16,441,417.00
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	true
Amendment Description	This amendment is being filed to reflect the restatement of i) the quarterly results of Southside Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”), as discussed in Note 2 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements contained herein, and ii) other information related to such restated financial information.
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2011