Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Parent Company [Member]
Consolidated net income	$ 47,630	$ 143,873	$ 93,438	$ 208,550
Unrealized loss from the effective portion of derivitave insturments	(1,314)	1,804	(5,019)	(2,543)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI on Derivatives, Net of Tax	1,131	1,791	2,317	3,983
Total comprehensive income	47,447	147,468	90,736	209,990
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(2,477)	(7,764)	(4,740)	(11,060)
Comprehensive income attributable to MAA	44,970	139,704	85,996	198,930
Limited Partner [Member]
Consolidated net income	47,630	143,873	93,438	208,550
Unrealized loss from the effective portion of derivitave insturments	(1,314)	1,804	(5,019)	(2,543)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI on Derivatives, Net of Tax	1,131	1,791	2,317	3,983
Comprehensive income attributable to Mid-America Apartments, L.P.	$ 47,447	$ 147,468	$ 90,736	$ 209,990