Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income before noncontrolling interest	$ 4,778	$ 3,926	$ 9,181	$ 7,916
Securities available for sale other-than-temporarily impaired:
Reclassification adjustment for losses recognized in earnings			193
Income tax effect			(66)
Unrealized holding losses on other-than-temporarily impaired securities available for sale, net of tax			127
Securities available for sale not other-than-temporarily impaired:
Gains (losses) arising during the period	8,599	(21,515)	16,439	(24,484)
Income tax effect	(2,924)	7,316	(5,589)	8,324
Gains (losses) arising during the period, net of tax	5,675	(14,199)	10,850	(16,160)
Reclassification adjustment for gains recognized in earnings		(198)	(288)	(467)
Income tax effect		67	98	159
Gains recognized in earnings, net of tax		(131)	(190)	(308)
Unrealized holding (loss) gain on securities, net	5,675	(14,330)	10,787	(16,468)
Pension and postretirement amortization	33	36	67	73
Income tax effect	(11)	(12)	(23)	(25)
Defined benefit pension plan items, Net of tax	22	24	44	48
Fair value adjustment on derivatives	44	1,100	193	1,369
Income tax effect	(15)	(374)	(66)	(465)
Fair Value adjustment on derivatives, net of tax	29	726	127	904
Other comprehensive (loss) income	5,726	(13,580)	10,958	(15,516)
Net comprehensive income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	10,504	(9,654)	20,139	(7,600)
Less: net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest	78	50	141	326
Net comprehensive income (loss) attributable to ESB Financial Corporation	$ 10,426	$ (9,704)	$ 19,998	$ (7,926)