Significant Accounting Policies - Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
New accounting pronouncements or change in accounting principle
Reclassification into retained earnings for the adoption of ASU 2018-02, Tax (expense) or benefit	$ (300)	$ (313)
Retained Earnings
New accounting pronouncements or change in accounting principle
Reclassification into retained earnings for the adoption of ASU 2018-02, Tax (expense) or benefit	$ 300	$ 313

Amount of increase (decrease) in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) for reclassification to retained earnings of tax effect from remeasurement of deferred tax pursuant to Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.

No definition available.

Name:	joe_TaxCutsAndJobsActOf2017ReclassificationFromAociToRetainedEarningsTaxEffect
Namespace Prefix:	joe_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration