Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Limited Partner [Member]
Consolidated net income	$ 118,958	$ 88,906	$ 212,529	$ 182,344
Unrealized loss from the effective portion of derivitave insturments	90	1,179	(1,252)	(3,840)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI on Derivatives, Net of Tax	(33)	1,042	884	3,359
Comprehensive income attributable to Mid-America Apartments, L.P.	119,015	91,127	212,161	181,863
Parent Company [Member]
Consolidated net income	118,958	88,906	212,529	182,344
Unrealized loss from the effective portion of derivitave insturments	90	1,179	(1,252)	(3,840)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI on Derivatives, Net of Tax	(33)	1,042	884	3,359
Total comprehensive income	119,015	91,127	212,161	181,863
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(4,251)	(4,743)	(7,586)	(9,483)
Comprehensive income attributable to MAA	$ 114,764	$ 86,384	$ 204,575	$ 172,380