Cover - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Jun. 30, 2022
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2022
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-08951
Entity Registrant Name	M.D.C. HOLDINGS, INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	84-0622967
Entity Address, Address Line One	4350 South Monaco Street, Suite 500
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 500
Entity Address, City or Town	Denver
Entity Address, State or Province	CO
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	80237
City Area Code	303
Local Phone Number	773-1100
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag	true
Entity Public Float		$ 1,830
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	72,585,596
Documents Incorporated by Reference	DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCEPortions of part III of this Form 10-K are incorporated by reference from the Registrant's 2023 definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days after the end of the Registrant's fiscal year.
Entity Central Index Key	0000773141
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2022
Common Stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $.01 par value
Trading Symbol	MDC
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Senior Notes 6.00% Due 2043
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	6% Senior Notes due January 2043
Trading Symbol	MDC 43
Security Exchange Name	NYSE