Noncontrolling Interests - Summarized Activity of Redeemable Limited Partners (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 184,446
Distributions	(8,425)	$ (152,325)	$ (212)
Conversion of OP Units into shares of ACC common stock	(6,077)	(13,332)	(154)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	924	212,481	8,254
Ending Balance	104,381	184,446
AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP LP
Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	184,446
Distributions	(8,425)	(152,325)	(212)
Conversion of OP Units into shares of ACC common stock	(6,077)	(13,332)	(154)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	924	212,481	8,254
Ending Balance	104,381	184,446
AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP LP \| Redeemable noncontrolling interests
Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	184,446	132,169	55,078
Net income	(783)	(936)	(654)
Distributions	(1,062)	(1,516)	(77,031)
Conversion of OP Units into shares of ACC common stock	(6,082)	(13,334)	(154)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	250	112	162,794
Purchase of noncontrolling interests	(88,304)
Adjustments to reflect redeemable noncontrolling interests at fair value	14,350	66,079	(9,172)
Ending Balance	$ 104,381	$ 184,446	$ 132,169

Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Increase In Carrying Amount Of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest

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- Definition

Noncontrolling Interest, Increase from Contributions by Noncontrolling Partners

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A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

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- Definition

Decrease in noncontrolling interest balance from payment of dividends or other distributions by the non-wholly owned subsidiary or partially owned entity, included in the consolidation of the parent entity, to the noncontrolling interest holders.

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Decrease in noncontrolling interest (for example, but not limited to, redeeming or purchasing the interests of noncontrolling shareholders, issuance of shares (interests) by the non-wholly owned subsidiary to the parent entity for other than cash, and a buyback of shares (interest) by the non-wholly owned subsidiary from the noncontrolling interests).

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- Definition

Amount of Net Income (Loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest.

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- Definition

Value of stock issued during the period upon the conversion of units. An example of a convertible unit is an umbrella partnership real estate investment trust unit (UPREIT unit).

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Carrying amount, attributable to parent and noncontrolling interests, of an entity's issued and outstanding stock which is not included within permanent equity. Temporary equity is a security with redemption features that are outside the control of the issuer, is not classified as an asset or liability in conformity with GAAP, and is not mandatorily redeemable. Includes any type of security that is redeemable at a fixed or determinable price or on a fixed or determinable date or dates, is redeemable at the option of the holder, or has conditions for redemption which are not solely within the control of the issuer. Includes stock with a put option held by an ESOP and stock redeemable by a holder only in the event of a change in control of the issuer.

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