Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 136,411	$ 133,086
Accounts receivable, net	375,326	371,641
Inventories	170,719	195,837
Deferred tax assets current, net	33,536	58,172
Other current assets	104,958	81,618
Total current assets	820,950	840,354
Property, plant, and equipment, net	255,212	262,670
Deferred tax assets noncurrent, net	44,584	22,144
Other long-term assets	28,908	62,704
Intangible assets, net	238,771	239,500
Goodwill	701,016	636,910
Total assets	2,089,441	2,064,282
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	227,739	246,775
Other current liabilities	49,950	53,734
Wages and benefits payable	91,802	93,730
Taxes payable	9,305	11,526
Current portion of debt	18,750	15,000
Current portion of warranty	27,115	52,588
Unearned revenue	42,712	37,369
Total current liabilities	467,373	510,722
Long-term debt	398,750	437,502
Long-term warranty	26,490	26,948
Pension plan benefit liability	90,533	62,449
Deferred tax liabilities noncurrent, net	16,682	31,699
Other long-term obligations	80,100	73,417
Total liabilities	1,079,928	1,142,737
Commitments and contingencies
Equity
Preferred stock, no par value, 10 million shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding	0	0
Common stock, no par value, 75 million shares authorized, 39,277 and 40,032 shares issued and outstanding	1,294,213	1,319,222
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	(34,384)	(37,160)
Accumulated deficit	(266,862)	(375,137)
Total Itron, Inc. shareholders' equity	992,967	906,925
Noncontrolling interests	16,546	14,620
Total equity	1,009,513	921,545
Total liabilities and equity	$ 2,089,441	$ 2,064,282
Common Stock, Number of Shares, Par Value and Other Disclosures
Common Stock, No Par Value
Common stock, shares authorized	75,000,000	75,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	39,277,000	40,032,000
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	39,277,000	40,032,000
Preferred Stock, Number of Shares, Par Value and Other Disclosures
Preferred Stock, No Par Value
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0