Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	670,000,000	670,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	65,479,054	65,379,359
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	65,479,054	65,379,359
Series H Preferred Interest [Member]
Preferred stock, stated interest percentage	7.125%	7.125%
Essex Portfolio, L.P. [Member] \| Series H Preferred Interest [Member]
Preferred interest, liquidation value	$ 0	$ 73,750
Preferred stock, stated interest percentage	7.125%	7.125%
Essex Portfolio, L.P. [Member] \| General Partner [Member]
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	65,479,054	65,379,359
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	65,479,054	65,379,359
Essex Portfolio, L.P. [Member] \| Limited Partners [Member]
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	2,221,768	2,214,545
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	2,221,768	2,214,545

Face amount or stated value per share of common stock.

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The maximum number of common shares permitted to be issued by an entity's charter and bylaws.

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Total number of common shares of an entity that have been sold or granted to shareholders (includes common shares that were issued, repurchased and remain in the treasury). These shares represent capital invested by the firm's shareholders and owners, and may be all or only a portion of the number of shares authorized. Shares issued include shares outstanding and shares held in the treasury.

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Number of shares of common stock outstanding. Common stock represent the ownership interest in a corporation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(29))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21463-112644

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The percentage rate used to calculate dividend payments on preferred stock.

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No definition available.

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Value of the difference between preference in liquidation and the par or stated values of the preferred shares.

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No definition available.

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