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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000899715-04-000105.txt : 20040505
<SEC-HEADER>0000899715-04-000105.hdr.sgml : 20040505
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040505092559
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000899715-04-000105
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040503
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040505

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TANGER STEVEN B
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001216940

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11986
		FILM NUMBER:		04779659

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		480 PARK AVENUE #16A
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2127543031

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TANGER FACTORY OUTLET CENTERS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000899715
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798]
		IRS NUMBER:				561815473
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NC
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3200 NORTHLINE AVENUE SUITE 360
		CITY:			GREENSBORO
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27408
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3362923010

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3200 NORTHLINE AVENUE SUITE 360
		CITY:			GREENSBORO
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27408
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgardoc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-05-03</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000899715</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TANGER FACTORY OUTLET CENTERS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SKT</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001216940</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>TANGER STEVEN B</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>3200 NORTHLINE AVENUE, SUITE 360</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>GREENSBORO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NC</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>27408</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President, COO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-05-03</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>565</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>30.125</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3657</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Limited Partnership Unit Option (right to buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>30.125</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-05-03</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>565</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>1999-01-06</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2008-01-06</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>565</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>9435</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Options to purchase limited partnership units, granted pursuant to the Tanger Properties Limited Partnership Unit Option Plan.  Each unit obtained upon exercise of option is exchangeable for common stock on a one-for-one basis, except under certain circumstances to preserve the Company's status as a real estate investment trust for income tax purposes.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The option becomes exercisable in five equal annual installments, commencing one year from the date of grant.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: Thomas J. Guerrieri Jr.  For: Steven B. Tanger</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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