Partners' Capital of Mid-America Apartments, L.P. (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Schedule of Capital Structure [Line Items]
Operating partnership units outstanding	79,667,188	79,534,989
General Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding	75,505,025	75,345,023
Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Limited Partnership (LP), Managing Member or General Partner, Ownership Interest	94.80%	94.70%
Limited Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding	4,162,163	4,189,966
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Schedule of Capital Structure [Line Items]
Common Shares Issuable Upon Conversion Of Convertible Stock	4,162,163	4,189,966
Limited Partners' Capital Account	$ 425.4	$ 323.8
Redeemable Capital Shares Par Or Stated Value Per Share	$ 102.21	$ 77.27