Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income before noncontrolling interest	$ 4,021	$ 4,279	$ 11,931	$ 12,722
Securities available for sale other-than-temporarily impaired:
Total losses		(452)	(406)	(452)
Losses recognized in earnings		83	31	83
Losses recognized in comprehensive income		(369)	(375)	(369)
Income tax effect		125	127	125
Unrealized holding losses on other-than-temporarily impaired securities available for sale, net of tax		(244)	(248)	(244)
Securities available for sale not other-than-temporarily impaired:
Gains arising during the year	9,956	6,218	14,386	15,335
Income tax effect	(3,385)	(2,114)	(4,891)	(5,214)
Gains arising during the year, net of tax	6,571	4,104	9,495	10,121
Gains recognized in earnings	197	406	464	937
Income tax effect	(67)	(138)	(158)	(319)
Gains recognized in earnings, net of tax	130	268	306	618
Unrealized holding gains on securities available for sale not other-than-temporarily-impaired, net of tax	6,441	3,836	9,189	9,503
Unrealized holding gain on securities, net	6,441	3,592	8,941	9,259
Pension and Postretirement Amortization	52	46	157	137
Income tax effect	(18)	(16)	(53)	(47)
Pension and Postretirement Amortization, net of tax	34	30	104	90
Fair Value adjustment on derivatives	(222)	(2,090)	(628)	(2,681)
Income tax effect	76	711	214	912
Fair Value adjustment on derivatives, net of tax	(146)	(1,379)	(414)	(1,769)
Other comprehensive income	6,329	2,243	8,631	7,580
Net comprehensive income before noncontrolling interest	10,350	6,522	20,562	20,302
Less: net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest	87	315	531	813
Net comprehensive income attributable to ESB Financial Corporation	$ 10,263	$ 6,207	$ 20,031	$ 19,489