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STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLAN (Details) (USD $)
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 1 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2014
Jan. 31, 2015
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]        
Number of options granted 0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross 0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross    
Fair value per share (in dollars per share) $ 26.13us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue      
Expected volatility, measurement period 3 years      
Service period of shares (in years) 3 years      
Cost $ 985,000sji_ShareBasedCompensationCostIncludingCapitalizedExpense $ 739,000sji_ShareBasedCompensationCostIncludingCapitalizedExpense    
Capitalized (91,000)us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount (70,000)us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount    
Net Expense 894,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense 669,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense    
Unrecognized compensation cost of awards granted under the plan 6,800,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized      
Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation cost is to be recognized (in years) 2 years 1 month 6 days      
Additional disclosures [Abstract]        
Weighted average fair value nonvested shares-beginning balance (in dollars per share) $ 24.40us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue     24.40us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
Weighted average fair value nonvested shares-granted during the period (in dollars per share) $ 28.69us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue      
Weighted average fair value nonvested shares-cancelled/forfeited during the period (in dollars per share) $ 24.13us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice      
Weighted average fair value nonvested shares-vested during the period (in dollars per share) $ 27.26us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue      
Weighted average fair value nonvested shares-ending balance (in dollars per share) $ 26.13us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue      
Officers and Key Employees        
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]        
Number of shares granted 151,354us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
136,526us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
   
Vesting period of shares (in years) 3 years      
The range of the actual amount of shares that ultimately vest of the original share units granted (in hundredths) 0% to 200%      
Shares outstanding (in shares) 374,766us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
  223,876us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
 
Cost 799,000sji_ShareBasedCompensationCostIncludingCapitalizedExpense
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
581,000sji_ShareBasedCompensationCostIncludingCapitalizedExpense
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
   
Restricted stock award activity, excluding accrued dividend equivalents [Roll Forward]        
Nonvested shares outstanding, beginning balance (in shares) 223,876us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
    223,876us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
Granted (in shares) 151,354us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
136,526us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
   
Cancelled/Forfeited (in shares) (464)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
     
Vested (in shares) 0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
     
Nonvested shares outstanding, ending balance (in shares) 374,766us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
  223,876us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
 
Additional disclosures [Abstract]        
Number of shares awarded during the period 0us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualSharesIssued
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
  0us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualSharesIssued
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
 
Officers and Key Employees | Grant Date January 2013 - TSR        
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]        
Shares outstanding (in shares) 49,514us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2013TsrMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
     
Fair value per share (in dollars per share) $ 22.19us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2013TsrMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
     
Expected volatility (in hundredths) 21.10%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2013TsrMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
     
Risk-free interest rate (in hundredths) 0.40%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2013TsrMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
     
Restricted stock award activity, excluding accrued dividend equivalents [Roll Forward]        
Nonvested shares outstanding, ending balance (in shares) 49,514us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2013TsrMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
     
Additional disclosures [Abstract]        
Weighted average fair value nonvested shares-ending balance (in dollars per share) $ 22.19us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2013TsrMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
     
Officers and Key Employees | Grant Date January 2013 - EPS        
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]        
Shares outstanding (in shares) 49,514us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2013EpsMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
     
Fair value per share (in dollars per share) $ 25.59us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2013EpsMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
     
Restricted stock award activity, excluding accrued dividend equivalents [Roll Forward]        
Nonvested shares outstanding, ending balance (in shares) 49,514us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2013EpsMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
     
Additional disclosures [Abstract]        
Weighted average fair value nonvested shares-ending balance (in dollars per share) $ 25.59us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2013EpsMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
     
Officers and Key Employees | Grant Date January 2014, TSR        
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]        
Shares outstanding (in shares) 62,192us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2014TSRMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
     
Fair value per share (in dollars per share) $ 21.31us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2014TSRMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
     
Expected volatility (in hundredths) 20.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2014TSRMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
     
Risk-free interest rate (in hundredths) 0.80%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2014TSRMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
     
Restricted stock award activity, excluding accrued dividend equivalents [Roll Forward]        
Nonvested shares outstanding, ending balance (in shares) 62,192us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2014TSRMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
     
Additional disclosures [Abstract]        
Weighted average fair value nonvested shares-ending balance (in dollars per share) $ 21.31us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2014TSRMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
     
Officers and Key Employees | Grant Date January 2014, EPS        
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]        
Shares outstanding (in shares) 62,192us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2014EPSMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
     
Fair value per share (in dollars per share) $ 27.22us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2014EPSMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
     
Restricted stock award activity, excluding accrued dividend equivalents [Roll Forward]        
Nonvested shares outstanding, ending balance (in shares) 62,192us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2014EPSMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
     
Additional disclosures [Abstract]        
Weighted average fair value nonvested shares-ending balance (in dollars per share) $ 27.22us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2014EPSMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
     
Officers and Key Employees | Grant Date January 2015, TSR        
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]        
Shares outstanding (in shares) 42,378us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2015TSRMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
     
Fair value per share (in dollars per share) $ 26.31us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2015TSRMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
     
Expected volatility (in hundredths) 16.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2015TSRMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
     
Risk-free interest rate (in hundredths) 1.10%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2015TSRMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
     
Restricted stock award activity, excluding accrued dividend equivalents [Roll Forward]        
Nonvested shares outstanding, ending balance (in shares) 42,378us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2015TSRMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
     
Additional disclosures [Abstract]        
Weighted average fair value nonvested shares-ending balance (in dollars per share) $ 26.31us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2015TSRMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
     
Officers and Key Employees | Grant Date January 2015, EPS, ROE, Time        
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]        
Shares outstanding (in shares) 108,976us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2015EPSROETimeMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
     
Fair value per share (in dollars per share) $ 29.47us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2015EPSROETimeMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
     
Restricted stock award activity, excluding accrued dividend equivalents [Roll Forward]        
Nonvested shares outstanding, ending balance (in shares) 108,976us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2015EPSROETimeMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
     
Additional disclosures [Abstract]        
Weighted average fair value nonvested shares-ending balance (in dollars per share) $ 29.47us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2015EPSROETimeMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
     
Director        
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]        
Number of shares granted 25,398us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
23,220us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
   
Vesting period of shares (in years) 12 months      
Shares Vested, Directors (in hundredths) 100.00%sji_PercentageOfSharesVestedDirectors
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
     
Shares outstanding (in shares) 25,398us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
     
Cost 186,000sji_ShareBasedCompensationCostIncludingCapitalizedExpense
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
158,000sji_ShareBasedCompensationCostIncludingCapitalizedExpense
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
   
Restricted stock award activity, excluding accrued dividend equivalents [Roll Forward]        
Nonvested shares outstanding, beginning balance (in shares) 23,220us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
    23,220us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
Granted (in shares) 25,398us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
23,220us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
   
Cancelled/Forfeited (in shares) 0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
     
Vested (in shares) (23,220)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
     
Nonvested shares outstanding, ending balance (in shares) 25,398us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
     
Additional disclosures [Abstract]        
Fair value of shares issued $ 700,000us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualFairValueOfSharesIssued
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
$ 600,000us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualFairValueOfSharesIssued
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
   
Director | Grant Date January 2015        
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]        
Shares outstanding (in shares) 25,398us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2015Member
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
     
Fair value per share (in dollars per share) $ 29.34us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2015Member
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
     
Restricted stock award activity, excluding accrued dividend equivalents [Roll Forward]        
Nonvested shares outstanding, ending balance (in shares) 25,398us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2015Member
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
     
Additional disclosures [Abstract]        
Weighted average fair value nonvested shares-ending balance (in dollars per share) $ 29.34us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ sji_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByDateOfGrantAxis
= sji_GrantDateJanuary2015Member
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_DirectorMember
     
Minimum | Officers and Key Employees        
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]        
Percentage of actual amount of shares that ultimately vest of original share units granted 0.00%sji_PercentageOfActualAmountOfSharesThatUltimatelyVestOfOriginalShareUnitsGranted
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
     
Maximum | Officers and Key Employees        
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]        
Percentage of actual amount of shares that ultimately vest of original share units granted 200.00%sji_PercentageOfActualAmountOfSharesThatUltimatelyVestOfOriginalShareUnitsGranted
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
     
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs)        
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]        
Number of shares granted 0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
   
Restricted stock award activity, excluding accrued dividend equivalents [Roll Forward]        
Granted (in shares) 0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
   
Restricted Stock | Officers and Key Employees        
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]        
Number of shares granted       45,406us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
Vesting period of shares (in years) 3 years      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Payout Limit, Percentage 100.00%sji_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardPayoutLimitPercentage
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember
     
Restricted stock award activity, excluding accrued dividend equivalents [Roll Forward]        
Granted (in shares)       45,406us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= sji_OfficersAndKeyEmployeesMember