Document And Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Aug. 14, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	CITIZENS SOUTH BANKING CORP
Document Type	10-Q
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		11,506,324
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0001051871
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2