Condensed Parent Company Only Financial Statements (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Interest income:
Repurchase agreements	$ 263	$ 338	$ 237
Total interest income	518,430	600,509	695,248
Interest expense on borrowings	113,911	154,219	181,773
Net interest expense	(341,902)	(348,269)	(375,426)
Non-interest income	6,854	6,339	4,950
Non-interest expense:
Compensation and benefits	133,689	139,140	151,149
Extinguishment of debt	4,266	1,212
Other	35,277	38,620	39,161
Total non-interest expense	287,531	300,133	301,417
Income before income taxes and equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries	104,342	80,971	105,924
Income tax benefit	(37,749)	(27,880)	(38,715)
Net income	66,593	53,091	67,209
Preferred stock dividends	7,214
Net income available to common shareholders	59,379	53,091	67,209
Astoria Financial Corporation
Interest income:
Repurchase agreements		18	19
ESOP loans receivable	344	728	1,194
Total interest income	344	746	1,213
Interest expense on borrowings	17,398	29,689	27,262
Net interest expense	17,054	28,943	26,049
Non-interest income			204
Cash dividends from subsidiaries	45,150	42,000	65,030
Non-interest expense:
Compensation and benefits	3,261	3,735	4,278
Extinguishment of debt	4,266	1,212
Other	3,148	2,878	2,898
Total non-interest expense	10,675	7,825	7,176
Income before income taxes and equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries	17,421	5,232	32,009
Income tax benefit	9,644	12,844	11,574
Income before equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries	27,065	18,076	43,583
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries	39,528	35,015	23,626
Net income	66,593	53,091	67,209
Preferred stock dividends	7,214
Net income available to common shareholders	$ 59,379	$ 53,091	$ 67,209