Segment Information Information By Segment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 612,401	$ 567,339	$ 1,176,092	$ 1,064,962
Gross profit	191,083	174,056	375,193	331,120
Operating Income (Loss)	48,085	50,009	98,174	81,628
Total other income (expense)	(13,729)	(14,279)	(27,131)	(29,627)
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes	34,356	35,730	71,043	52,001
Depreciation and amortization	32,768	31,793	64,299	65,071
Itron North America [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	288,224	301,143	565,206	542,702
Gross profit	96,958	100,972	191,680	179,131
Operating Income (Loss)	42,739	55,384	86,532	87,420
Depreciation and amortization	11,176	11,441	22,347	22,728
Itron International [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	324,177	266,196	610,886	522,260
Gross profit	94,125	73,084	183,513	151,989
Operating Income (Loss)	16,483	5,017	32,711	15,454
Depreciation and amortization	21,591	20,352	41,950	42,342
Corporate Unallocated [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income (Loss)	(11,137)	(10,392)	(21,069)	(21,246)
Depreciation and amortization	$ 1	$ 0	$ 2	$ 1