XML 12 R1.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.8.0.1
Document and Entity Information - USD ($)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Mar. 30, 2018
Document And Entity Information    
Entity Registrant Name AMERICAN REALTY INVESTORS INC  
Entity Central Index Key 0001102238  
Document Type 10-K  
Trading Symbol ARL  
Document Period End Date Dec. 31, 2017  
Amendment Flag false  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Entity a Well-known Seasoned Issuer No  
Entity a Voluntary Filer No  
Entity's Reporting Status Current Yes  
Entity Filer Category Smaller Reporting Company  
Entity Public Float $ 9,793,299  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   15,997,076
Entity Common Stock, Shares held by Nonaffiliates 2,019,327  
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2017