Equity

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Notes To Financial Statements [Abstract]

Equity

Equity

Total equity and its components for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2012, and 2011, were as follows (dollars in thousands, except per share and per unit data):

	Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. Shareholders
	Common Stock Amount		Additional Paid-In Capital			Accumulated Distributions in Excess of Net Income			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)			Noncontrolling Interest			Total Equity
EQUITY BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 2011	$	389	$	1,375,623		$	(621,833	)	$	(35,848	)	$	25,131		$	743,462
Net income						82,916						3,702			86,618
Other comprehensive income - derivative instruments (cash flow hedges)									5,381			1,730			7,111
Issuance and registration of common shares	28		173,934												173,962
Shares repurchased and retired	—		(1,863		)										(1,863		)
Shares issued in exchange for units	2		2,670									(2,672		)	—
Redeemable stock fair market value						(168		)							(168		)
Adjustment for noncontrolling interest ownership in operating partnership			(4,812		)							4,812			—
Correction of classification of equity accounts (Note 1)			(27,032		)	24,871						2,161			—
Amortization of unearned compensation			1,730												1,730
Dividends on common stock ($1.9800 per share)						(81,813		)				—			(81,813		)
Dividends on noncontrolling interest units ($1.9800 per unit)												(3,667		)	(3,667		)
EQUITY BALANCE SEPTEMBER 30, 2012	$	419	$	1,520,250		$	(596,027	)	$	(30,467	)	$	31,197		$	925,372

	Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. Shareholders
	Common Stock Amount		Additional Paid-In Capital			Accumulated Distributions in Excess of Net Income			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)			Noncontrolling Interest			Total Equity
EQUITY BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 2010	$	348	$	1,142,023		$	(575,021	)	$	(48,847	)	$	22,125		$	540,628
Net income						30,063						1,223			31,286
Other comprehensive income - derivative instruments (cash flow hedges)									7,263			264			7,527
Issuance and registration of common shares	27		170,079												170,106
Shares repurchased and retired	—		(2,471		)										(2,471		)
Exercise of stock options	—		407												407
Shares issued in exchange for units	3		3,001									(3,004		)	—
Redeemable stock fair market value						223									223
Adjustment for noncontrolling interest ownership in operating partnership			(7,015		)							7,015			—
Amortization of unearned compensation			4,445												4,445
Dividends on common stock ($1.8825 per share)						(70,027		)				—			(70,027		)
Dividends on noncontrolling interest units ($1.8825 per unit)												(3,825		)	(3,825		)
EQUITY BALANCE SEPTEMBER 30, 2011	$	378	$	1,310,469		$	(614,762	)	$	(41,584	)	$	23,798		$	678,299