| **Debt (Descriptors) (Details)**                                                                                                                                                                                                             | 12 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                         |                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
||
| **Debt Instrument [Line Items]**                                                                                                                                                                                                             |                                                                                                                                                                                                    |                                                                                                                                                                                                    |   |
| Debt interest rate                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |                                                                                                                                                                                                    |                                                                                                                                                                                                    | 4.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage |
| In-substance defeased debt, interest payable monthly at 5.62% at December 31, 2014 and 2013, secured and paid by pledged treasury securities, due October 1, 2015                                                                            |                                                                                                                                                                                                    |                                                                                                                                                                                                    |   |
| **Debt Instrument [Line Items]**                                                                                                                                                                                                             |                                                                                                                                                                                                    |                                                                                                                                                                                                    |   |
| Debt interest rate                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | 5.62%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis= joe_DefeasedDebtMember                                                                                           | 5.62%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis= joe_DefeasedDebtMember                                                                                           |   |
| Debt instrument, maturity date                                                                                                                                                                                                               | Oct.  01,  2015                                                                                                                                                                                         | Oct.  01,  2015                                                                                                                                                                                         |   |
| Community Development District debt, secured by certain real estate and standby note purchase agreements, due May 2016 — May 2039, bearing interest at 2.55% to 7.0% at December 31, 2014 and 2013                                    |                                                                                                                                                                                                    |                                                                                                                                                                                                    |   |
| **Debt Instrument [Line Items]**                                                                                                                                                                                                             |                                                                                                                                                                                                    |                                                                                                                                                                                                    |   |
| Debt instrument, minimum interest                                                                                                                                                                                                            | 2.55%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentageRateRangeMinimum/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis= joe_CommunityDevelopmentDistrictDebtMember                                                       | 2.55%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentageRateRangeMinimum/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis= joe_CommunityDevelopmentDistrictDebtMember                                                       |   |
| Debt instrument, maximum interest                                                                                                                                                                                                            | 7.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentageRateRangeMaximum/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis= joe_CommunityDevelopmentDistrictDebtMember                                                       | 7.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentageRateRangeMaximum/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis= joe_CommunityDevelopmentDistrictDebtMember                                                       |   |
| Debt instrument, maturity start date                                                                                                                                                                                                         | May  01,  2016                                                                                                                                                                                          |                                                                                                                                                                                                    |   |
| Debt instrument, maturity end date                                                                                                                                                                                                           | May  01,  2039                                                                                                                                                                                          |                                                                                                                                                                                                    |   |
| Construction loan in the Pier Park North joint venture, due February 2016, bearing interest at LIBOR plus 210 basis points, or 2.26% and 2.27% at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively | Pier Park North Joint Venture Construction Loan |                                                                                                                                                                                                    |                                                                                                                                                                                                    |   |
| **Debt Instrument [Line Items]**                                                                                                                                                                                                             |                                                                                                                                                                                                    |                                                                                                                                                                                                    |   |
| Debt interest rate                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | 2.26%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= joe_PierParkNorthJointVentureConstructionLoanMember/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis= us-gaap_ConstructionLoansMember | 2.27%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= joe_PierParkNorthJointVentureConstructionLoanMember/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis= us-gaap_ConstructionLoansMember |   |
| Debt instrument, basis spread                                                                                                                                                                                                                | 2.10%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis= joe_PierParkNorthJointVentureConstructionLoanMember/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis= us-gaap_ConstructionLoansMember   |                                                                                                                                                                                                    |   |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**num:percentItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**num:percentItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Maximum contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentageRateRangeMaximum**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**num:percentItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Minimum contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(2)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentageRateRangeMinimum**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**num:percentItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                           |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:stringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Date when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid, in CCYY-MM-DD format.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(2)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDate**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:dateItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Latest date the outstanding debt instruments are required to be repaid, in CCYY-MM-DD format.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(2)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDateRangeEnd1**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:dateItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Earliest date the outstanding debt instruments are required to be repaid, in CCYY-MM-DD format.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(2)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDateRangeStart1**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:dateItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                               |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=joe_CommunityDevelopmentDistrictDebtMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                           |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=joe_DefeasedDebtMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                    |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_ConstructionLoansMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |