CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Total	Common stock	Additional paid-in capital	Accumulated earnings less dividends	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	Total AvalonBay stockholders' equity	Noncontrolling interests
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2008	$ 2,916,115	$ 771	$ 2,940,499	$ (22,223)	$ (2,932)	$ 2,916,115
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2008		77,119,963
Net income attributable to common stockholders	155,647			155,647		155,647
Unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedges	1,865				1,865	1,865
Change in redemption value of noncontrolling interest	3,373			3,373		3,373
Dividends declared to common stockholders	(287,983)			(287,983)		(287,983)
Issuance of common stock, net of withholdings (in shares)		4,408,994
Issuance of common stock, net of withholdings	246,918	44	245,676	1,198		246,918
Amortization of deferred compensation	14,192		14,192			14,192
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	3,050,127	815	3,200,367	(149,988)	(1,067)	3,050,127
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2009		81,528,957
Net income attributable to common stockholders	176,259			175,331		175,331	928
Unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedges	(108)				(108)	(108)
Change in redemption value of noncontrolling interest	(5,573)			(5,573)		(5,573)
Consolidation of noncontrolling interests	4,045						4,045
Dividends declared to common stockholders	(302,518)			(302,518)		(302,518)
Issuance of common stock, net of withholdings (in shares)		4,370,123
Issuance of common stock, net of withholdings	380,973	44	380,924	5		380,973
Amortization of deferred compensation	12,386		12,386			12,386
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	3,315,591	859	3,593,677	(282,743)	(1,175)	3,310,618	4,973
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010		85,899,080
Net income attributable to common stockholders	440,450			441,622		441,622	(1,172)
Unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedges	(85,845)				(85,845)	(85,845)
Change in redemption value of noncontrolling interest	(2,607)			(2,607)		(2,607)
Consolidation of noncontrolling interests	3,350						3,350
Dividends declared to common stockholders	(326,813)			(326,813)		(326,813)
Issuance of common stock, net of withholdings (in shares)		9,276,597
Issuance of common stock, net of withholdings	1,035,302	93	1,036,316	(1,107)		1,035,302
Amortization of deferred compensation	22,464		22,464			22,464
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 4,401,892	$ 952	$ 4,652,457	$ (171,648)	$ (87,020)	$ 4,394,741	$ 7,151
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011		95,175,677