Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Net operating revenues:
Operating revenues	$ 16,364	$ 19,133	$ 41,643	$ 45,774
Costs and expenses:
Depreciation and amortization expense	747	714	2,256	2,093
Selling, general and administrative expenses	2,240	2,108	6,305	5,865
Operating income (loss)	525	815	(267)	209
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(176)	(94)	(528)	(273)
Other income, net	50	57	236	218
Income (loss) before income taxes	399	778	(559)	154
Provision for income taxes	29	43	81	79
Net income (loss)	370	735	(640)	75
Less net loss attributable to non-controlling interest in subsidiary	(177)	(71)	(382)	(244)
Net income (loss) attributable to Avalon Holdings Corporation common shareholders	$ 547	$ 806	$ (258)	$ 319
Income (loss) per share attributable to Avalon Holdings Corporation common shareholders:
Basic net income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.14	$ 0.21	$ (0.07)	$ 0.08
Diluted net income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.14	$ 0.21	$ (0.07)	$ 0.08
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	3,803	3,803	3,803	3,803
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	3,817	3,893	3,803	3,836
Waste Management Services [Member]
Net operating revenues:
Operating revenues	$ 10,831	$ 13,593	$ 27,934	$ 32,625
Costs and expenses:
Operating costs	8,792	11,295	22,219	26,901
Golf and Related Operations [Member]
Net operating revenues:
Operating revenues	5,533	5,540	13,709	13,149
Food, beverage and merchandise sales	2,326	2,354	5,702	5,605
Other golf and related operations	3,207	3,186	8,007	7,544
Costs and expenses:
Operating costs	3,090	3,204	8,646	8,250
Cost of food, beverage and merchandise	$ 970	$ 997	$ 2,484	$ 2,456