Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Net income	$ 458,043	$ 438,410	$ 248,239
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Change in fair value of derivatives and amortization of swap settlements	12,744	15,926	7,893
Changes in fair value of marketable securities, net	3,284	(828)	1,865
Reversal of unrealized gains upon the sale of marketable securities	(1,909)	(4,848)	0
Total other comprehensive income	14,119	10,250	9,758
Comprehensive income	472,162	448,660	257,997
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(25,451)	(23,768)	(16,436)
Comprehensive income attributable to controlling interest	446,711	424,892	241,561
Essex Portfolio, L.P. [Member]
Net income	458,043	438,410	248,239
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Change in fair value of derivatives and amortization of swap settlements	12,744	15,926	7,893
Changes in fair value of marketable securities, net	3,284	(828)	1,865
Reversal of unrealized gains upon the sale of marketable securities	(1,909)	(4,848)	0
Total other comprehensive income	14,119	10,250	9,758
Comprehensive income	472,162	448,660	257,997
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(10,159)	(9,342)	(8,295)
Comprehensive income attributable to controlling interest	$ 462,003	$ 439,318	$ 249,702