Document And Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Aug. 01, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	NATIONAL RESEARCH CORP
Document Type	10-Q
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		6,803,033
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000070487
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2