Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Limited Partner [Member]
Consolidated net income	$ 50,155	$ 47,630	$ 93,571	$ 93,438
Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion, Net			(196)	(110)
Unrealized loss from the effective portion of derivitave insturments	(3,863)	(1,314)	(1,343)	(5,019)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI on Derivatives, Net of Tax	246	1,131	918	2,317
Comprehensive income attributable to Mid-America Apartments, L.P.	46,538	47,447	93,146	90,736
Parent Company [Member]
Consolidated net income	50,155	47,630	93,571	93,438
Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion, Net			(196)	(110)
Unrealized loss from the effective portion of derivitave insturments	(3,863)	(1,314)	(1,343)	(5,019)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI on Derivatives, Net of Tax	246	1,131	918	2,317
Total comprehensive income	46,538	47,447	93,146	90,736
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,711)	(2,477)	(3,335)	(4,740)
Comprehensive income attributable to MAA	$ 44,827	$ 44,970	$ 89,811	$ 85,996