CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified		Common Shares Class A Non-Voting [Member]		Common Shares Class B Voting [Member]		Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2008		$ 6,519		$ 882		$ 66,699	$ 13,694	$ 87,794
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2008		6,519	[1],[2],[3]	882	[4]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income							7,262	7,262
Cash dividends declared
Common stock							(5,379)	(5,379)
Issuance of common stock
Dividend reinvestment plan		19				289		308
Dividends reinvestment plan (in shares)		19
Employee stock options and awards	[3]	65				772		837
Employee stock options and awards (in shares)	[3]	65
Employee Retirement Plan	[2]	22				330		352
Employee Retirement Plan (in shares)	[2]	22
Balance at Dec. 31, 2009		6,625		882		68,090	15,577	91,174
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2009		6,625	[1],[2],[3]	882	[4]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income							7,620	7,620
Cash dividends declared
Common stock							(5,677)	(5,677)
Issuance of common stock
Dividend reinvestment plan		18				310		328
Dividends reinvestment plan (in shares)		18
Employee stock options and awards	[3]	91				1,231		1,322
Employee stock options and awards (in shares)	[3]	91
Employee Retirement Plan	[2]	21				358		379
Employee Retirement Plan (in shares)	[2]	21
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010		6,755		882		69,989	17,520	95,146
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010		6,755	[1],[2],[3]	882	[4]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income							6,746	6,746
Cash dividends declared
Common stock							(6,191)	(6,191)
Issuance of common stock
Dividend reinvestment plan		21				373		394
Dividends reinvestment plan (in shares)		21
Employee stock options and awards	[3]	25				543		568
Employee stock options and awards (in shares)	[3]	25
Employee Retirement Plan	[2]	40				660		700
Employee Retirement Plan (in shares)	[2]	40
Stock issuance		888				14,746		15,634
Stock issuance (in shares)		888
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011		$ 7,729		$ 882		$ 86,311	$ 18,075	$ 112,997
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011		7,729	[1],[2],[3]	882	[4]

[1] At December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, Class A Common Stock had 15,000,000 shares authorized. For the same periods, shares issued were 7,753,730, 6,779,878 and 6,650,002, respectively.

[2] Artesian Resources Corporation registered 500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock available for purchase through the Artesian Retirement Plan and the Artesian Supplemental Retirement Plan.

[3] Under the Equity Compensation Plan, effective May 25, 2005 Artesian Resources Corporation authorized up to 500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock for issuance of grants in forms of stock options, stock units, dividend equivalents and other stock-based awards, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances as discussed in the Plan.

[4] At December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, Class B Common Stock had 1,040,000 shares authorized and 882,000 shares issued.