Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Central Index Key	0000773141
Entity Registrant Name	MDC HOLDINGS INC
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-08951
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	84-0622967
Entity Address, Address Line One	4350 South Monaco Street, Suite 500
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	80237
Entity Address, City or Town	Denver
Entity Address, State or Province	CO
City Area Code	303
Local Phone Number	773-1100
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float		$ 1,600,000,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	62,574,961
Senior Notes 6.00% Due 2043 [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	6.000% Senior Notes due January 2043
Trading Symbol	552676AQ1
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Senior Notes 5.625 Due 2020 [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	5.625% Senior Notes due February 2020
Trading Symbol	552676AP3
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Common Stock 1 [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $.01 par value
Trading Symbol	552676108
Security Exchange Name	NYSE