Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Shareholders' Equity of the Company (Details)

v2.4.0.6
Shareholders' Equity of the Company (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Sep. 30, 2011
Jun. 30, 2011
Mar. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Sep. 30, 2010
Jun. 30, 2010
Mar. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2009
Schedule of Shareholders' Equity of the Company [Line Items]                      
Partnership Unit Exchange Ratio         2         4  
Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc
                      
Schedule of Shareholders' Equity of the Company [Line Items]                      
Stockholders' Equity Note, Stock Split, Conversion Ratio                 2    
Total Number of Common Shares The Could Be Issued Upon Vesting of Notional Units Granted, to Date 1,176,000               1,176,000    
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share $ 0.01       $ 0.01       $ 0.01 $ 0.01  
Shareholders' Equity at Period Start       $ (421,895)       $ (521,063) $ (421,895) $ (521,063) $ (265,903)
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest 15,138 14,192 10,842 10,817 15,096 14,753 5,392 3,003 50,989 38,244 67,495
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax                 (285) 8,743 4,485
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest                 50,704 46,987 71,980
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition                 7,291 5,848 11,798
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures                 0 0 0
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised                 353 1,107 1,747
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Reallocation of Noncontrolling Interest                 0 0 0
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash                 66,530 62,518 53,712
Payments of Dividends, Noncontrolling Interest                 9,501 9,373 9,267
Shareholders' Equity at Period End (528,432)       (421,895)       (528,432) (421,895) (521,063)
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures                 317,400 312,720 400,200
Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc | Common shares [Member]
                      
Schedule of Shareholders' Equity of the Company [Line Items]                      
Shareholders' Equity at Period Start       (810)       (806) (810) (806) (634)
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest                 0 0 0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax                 0 0 0
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest                 0 0 0
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition                 0 0 0
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures                 3 4 4
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised                 0 0 2
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Reallocation of Noncontrolling Interest                 0 0 0
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash                 0 0 0
Payments of Dividends, Noncontrolling Interest                 0 0 0
Shareholders' Equity at Period End (867)       (810)       (867) (810) (806)
Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc | Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
                      
Schedule of Shareholders' Equity of the Company [Line Items]                      
Shareholders' Equity at Period Start       (604,359)       (595,671) (604,359) (595,671) (370,873)
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest                 0 0 0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax                 0 0 0
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest                 0 0 0
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition                 7,291 5,848 11,798
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures                 (3) (4) (4)
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised                 353 1,107 1,745
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Reallocation of Noncontrolling Interest                 (9,242) (802) (26,814)
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash                 0 0 0
Payments of Dividends, Noncontrolling Interest                 0 0 0
Shareholders' Equity at Period End (720,073)       (604,359)       (720,073) (604,359) (595,671)
Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc | Accumulated Distributions in Excess of Net Income [Member]
                      
Schedule of Shareholders' Equity of the Company [Line Items]                      
Shareholders' Equity at Period Start       240,024       202,997 240,024 202,997 201,679
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest                 44,641 34,249 58,019
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax                 0 0 0
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest                 44,641 34,249 58,019
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition                 0 0 0
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures                 0 0 0
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised                 0 0 0
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Reallocation of Noncontrolling Interest                 0 0 0
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash                 66,530 62,518 53,712
Payments of Dividends, Noncontrolling Interest                 0 0 0
Shareholders' Equity at Period End 261,913       240,024       261,913 240,024 202,997
Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
                      
Schedule of Shareholders' Equity of the Company [Line Items]                      
Shareholders' Equity at Period Start       (1,784)       5,809 (1,784) 5,809 9,617
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest                 0 0 0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax                 (249) 7,593 3,808
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest                 (249) 7,593 3,808
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition                 0 0 0
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures                 0 0 0
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised                    0 0
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Reallocation of Noncontrolling Interest                 0 0 0
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash                 0 0 0
Payments of Dividends, Noncontrolling Interest                 0 0 0
Shareholders' Equity at Period End (1,535)       (1,784)       (1,535) (1,784) 5,809
Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc | Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
                      
Schedule of Shareholders' Equity of the Company [Line Items]                      
Shareholders' Equity at Period Start       (54,966)       (58,392) (54,966) (58,392) (30,692)
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest                 6,356 3,995 9,476
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax                 (36) 1,150 677
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest                 6,320 5,145 10,153
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition                 0 0 0
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures                 0 0 0
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised                 0 0 0
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Reallocation of Noncontrolling Interest                 9,242 802 26,814
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash                 0 0 0
Payments of Dividends, Noncontrolling Interest                 9,501 9,373 9,267
Shareholders' Equity at Period End $ (61,027)       $ (54,966)       $ (61,027) $ (54,966) $ (58,392)