Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net Income before noncontrolling interest	$ 4,111	$ 4,021	$ 12,027	$ 11,931
Securities available for sale other-than-temporarily impaired:
Total losses				(406)
Losses recognized in earnings			2,000	31
Losses recognized in comprehensive income				(375)
Income tax effect				127
Unrealized holding losses on other-than-temporarily impaired securities available for sale, net of tax				(248)
Securities available for sale not other-than-temporarily impaired:
(Losses) gains arising during the period	(1,363)	9,956	(25,845)	14,386
Income tax effect	463	(3,385)	8,788	(4,891)
Gains arising during the year, net of tax	(900)	6,571	(17,057)	9,495
Gains recognized in earnings	(58)	(197)	(525)	(464)
Income tax effect	20	67	178	158
Gains recognized in earnings, net of tax	(38)	(130)	(347)	(306)
Unrealized holding (losses) gains on securities available for sale not other-than-temporarily-impaired, net of tax	(938)	6,441	(17,404)	9,189
Unrealized holding (loss) gain on securities, net	(938)	6,441	(17,404)	8,941
Pension and Postretirement Amortization	36	51	108	157
Income tax effect	(12)	(18)	(37)	(53)
Pension and Postretirement Amortization, net of tax	24	33	71	104
Fair Value adjustment on derivatives	29	(222)	1,398	(628)
Income tax effect	(10)	76	(476)	214
Fair Value adjustment on derivatives	19	(146)	922	(414)
Net current period OCI, Total	(895)	6,328	(16,411)	8,631
Net comprehensive income (loss) before noncontrolling interest	3,216	10,349	(4,384)	20,562
Less: net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest	140	87	466	531
Net comprehensive income (loss) attributable to ESB Financial Corporation	$ 3,076	$ 10,262	$ (4,850)	$ 20,031