Condensed Parent Company Only Financial Statements (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
ASSETS:
Cash	$ 121,950	$ 121,473
ESOP loans receivable		5,900
Other assets	143,490	216,661
Total assets	15,793,722	16,496,642
Liabilities and stockholders' equity:
Other borrowings, net	248,161	376,496
Other liabilities	172,280	272,098
Stockholders' equity	1,519,513	1,293,989	1,251,198	1,241,780
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	15,793,722	16,496,642
Astoria Financial Corporation
ASSETS:
Cash	63,418	47,604
ESOP loans receivable		5,908
Other assets	103	1,009
Total assets	1,770,718	1,677,490
Liabilities and stockholders' equity:
Other borrowings, net	248,161	376,496
Other liabilities	3,044	1,369
Amounts due to subsidiaries		5,636
Stockholders' equity	1,519,513	1,293,989
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	1,770,718	1,677,490
Astoria Financial Corporation | Astoria Federal
ASSETS:
Investment in subsidiary	1,705,964	1,617,880
Astoria Financial Corporation | AF Insurance Agency, Inc
ASSETS:
Investment in subsidiary	1,233	1,160
Astoria Financial Corporation | Astoria Capital Trust I
ASSETS:
Investment in Astoria Capital Trust l		$ 3,929