Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Net loss attributable to Crosstex Energy, Inc.	$ (29,636)	$ (12,481)	$ (6,007)
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction	140,285	162,300	125,358
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	(18,003)	(8,384)	(4,540)
Share-based Compensation	14,383	9,483	7,556
Interest paid-in-kind	1,766	0	0
Amortization of Financing Costs	6,457	5,377	6,462
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable	(75,359)	(39,120)	44,121
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities	55,486	19,744	(37,800)
Net cash provided by operating activities	87,839	100,456	141,293
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment	(560,784)	(234,849)	(97,572)
Investment in limited liability company	(30,594)	(52,250)	(35,000)
Distribution from limited liability company in excess of earnings	14,172	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(557,786)	(490,283)	(132,094)
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt and Capital Securities, Net	558,126	806,500	471,250
Repayments of Long-term Debt	(397,622)	(570,500)	(393,308)
Payments of Debt Issuance Costs	(3,508)	(7,155)	(3,954)
Conversion of restricted stock, net of shares withheld for taxes	(2,087)	(794)	(1,068)
Contribution from Noncontrolling Interests	4,819	0	0
Proceeds from exercise of share options	146	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	468,792	362,460	(1,636)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(1,155)	(27,367)	7,563
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	1,821	2,976	30,343
Gain from issuance of Partnership units	7,224	(8,610)	476
Parent Company [Member]
Net loss attributable to Crosstex Energy, Inc.	(29,636)	(12,481)	(6,007)
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction	185	0	0
Loss (income) from investment in the partnership	30,400	16,080	7,196
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	(12,551)	(7,367)	(3,896)
Share-based Compensation	212	277	249
Interest paid-in-kind	1,766	0	0
Amortization of Financing Costs	343	0	0
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable	(1,017)	(27)	(57)
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities	3,222	79	238
Net cash provided by operating activities	(7,076)	(3,439)	(2,277)
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment	(76,649)	0	0
Investment in limited liability company	0	(3,460)	(163)
Distribution from limited liability company in excess of earnings	28,936	27,270	22,497
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(47,713)	23,810	22,334
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt and Capital Securities, Net	77,737	0	0
Repayments of Long-term Debt	(1,233)	0	0
Payments of Debt Issuance Costs	(1,460)	0	0
Conversion of restricted stock, net of shares withheld for taxes	(2,087)	(794)	(1,068)
Contribution from Noncontrolling Interests	4,642	0	0
Payments of Dividends	(24,044)	(22,925)	(17,872)
Proceeds from exercise of share options	146	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	53,701	(23,719)	(18,940)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(1,088)	(3,348)	1,117
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	1,764	2,852	6,200
Gain from issuance of Partnership units	35,123	15,890	0
ShareBasedCompesationNonCash	$ 7,000	$ 4,200	$ 3,100