<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema">
  <Version>2.4.0.6</Version>
  <ProcessingTime />
  <ReportFormat>Html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>185</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>456</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>53</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>4</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000100 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>010000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>020000 - Statement - STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/StatementsOfComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>true</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>030000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>030100 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>040000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>050000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfShareholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060100 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060200 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060300 - Disclosure - Acquisition</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/Acquisition</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisition</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060400 - Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstruments</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value of Financial Instruments</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060500 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060600 - Disclosure - Segments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/Segments</Role>
      <ShortName>Segments</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060700 - Disclosure - Stock Compensation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/StockCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock Compensation</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060800 - Disclosure - Extended Term Payable</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/ExtendedTermPayable</Role>
      <ShortName>Extended Term Payable</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060900 - Disclosure - Debt and Other Obligations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/DebtAndOtherObligations</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt and Other Obligations</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>061000 - Disclosure - Employee Retirement Benefits</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/EmployeeRetirementBenefits</Role>
      <ShortName>Employee Retirement Benefits</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>061100 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>061200 - Disclosure - Financial Derivative Instruments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/FinancialDerivativeInstruments</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Derivative Instruments</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>061300 - Disclosure - Commitments, Contingencies, and Concentrations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/CommitmentsContingenciesAndConcentrations</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments, Contingencies, and Concentrations</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>061400 - Disclosure - Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/QuarterlyFinancialInformationUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>061500 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/SubsequentEvents</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>070100 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>080100 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>080200 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>080300 - Disclosure - Acquisition (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/AcquisitionTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisition (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>080400 - Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>080500 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>080600 - Disclosure - Segments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/SegmentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segments (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>080700 - Disclosure - Stock Compensation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/StockCompensationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock Compensation (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>081000 - Disclosure - Employee Retirement Benefits (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/EmployeeRetirementBenefitsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Employee Retirement Benefits (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>081100 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/IncomeTaxesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>081200 - Disclosure - Financial Derivative Instruments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/FinancialDerivativeInstrumentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Derivative Instruments (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>081300 - Disclosure - Commitments, Contingencies, and Concentrations (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/CommitmentsContingenciesAndConcentrationsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments, Contingencies, and Concentrations (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>081400 - Disclosure - Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/QuarterlyFinancialInformationUnauditedTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090100 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090200 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090300 - Disclosure - Acquisition (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/AcquisitionDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisition (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090400 - Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090500 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090600 - Disclosure - Segments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/SegmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segments (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090700 - Disclosure - Stock Compensation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/StockCompensationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock Compensation (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090800 - Disclosure - Extended Term Payable (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/ExtendedTermPayableDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Extended Term Payable (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090900 - Disclosure - Debt and Other Obligations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/DebtAndOtherObligationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt and Other Obligations (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>091000 - Disclosure - Employee Retirement Benefits (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/EmployeeRetirementBenefitsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Employee Retirement Benefits (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>091100 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>091200 - Disclosure - Financial Derivative Instruments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/FinancialDerivativeInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Derivative Instruments (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>091202 - Disclosure - Financial Derivative Instruments, Part 2 (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/FinancialDerivativeInstrumentsPart2Details</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Derivative Instruments, Part 2 (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>091300 - Disclosure - Commitments, Contingencies, and Concentrations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/CommitmentsContingenciesAndConcentrationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments, Contingencies, and Concentrations (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>091400 - Disclosure - Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/QuarterlyFinancialInformationUnauditedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>091500 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://hickorytech.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">Element htco_NtiaReimbursementsReceived had a mix of decimals attribute values: -3 0.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationGoodwillAmount had a mix of decimals attribute values: -3 0.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanHealthCareCostTrendRateAssumedForNextFiscalYear had a mix of decimals attribute values: 2 3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationOtherAdjustments had a mix of decimals attribute values: 2 3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_GrantsReceivable had a mix of decimals attribute values: -3 0.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue had a mix of decimals attribute values: 0 2.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice had a mix of decimals attribute values: 0 2.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice had a mix of decimals attribute values: 0 2.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice had a mix of decimals attribute values: 0 2.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '090200 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '091100 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '091500 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 010000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '10 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 020000 - Statement - STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '10 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 030000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2010'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2009'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 030100 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 040000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>htco-20121231.xml</File>
    <File>htco-20121231.xsd</File>
    <File>htco-20121231_cal.xml</File>
    <File>htco-20121231_def.xml</File>
    <File>htco-20121231_lab.xml</File>
    <File>htco-20121231_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles />
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
