CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Revenues:
Rental income	$ 669,009
Rental income		$ 621,399	$ 583,595
Interest and other income from real estate transactions	1,478	1,262	1,338
Total revenues	670,487	622,661	584,933
Operating expenses:
General and administrative	37,651	34,248	33,805
Real estate	27,656
Real estate		25,099	23,105
Depreciation and amortization	188,871	174,398	173,720
Impairment losses – real estate and other charges, net of recoveries	31,992	28,211	8,955
Retirement severance costs	0	1,013	7,845
Total operating expenses	286,170	262,969	247,430
Gain on disposition of real estate	32,463	65,070	36,655
Earnings from operations	416,780	424,762	374,158
Other expenses (revenues):
Interest and other income	(3,112)	(1,810)	(322)
Interest expense	120,023	115,847	109,109
Leasing transaction costs	261	0	0
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	0	18,240	0
Total other expenses (revenues)	117,172	132,277	108,787
Net earnings	299,608	292,485	265,371
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(428)	(38)	(398)
Net earnings attributable to NNN	299,180	292,447	264,973
Net earnings attributable to common stockholders	$ 258,183	$ 258,120	$ 217,193
Net earnings per share of common stock:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.56	$ 1.65	$ 1.45
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.56	$ 1.65	$ 1.45
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	164,688,498	155,744,601	149,111,188
Diluted (in shares)	165,083,679	156,295,619	149,432,641
Other comprehensive income:
Net earnings attributable to NNN	$ 299,180	$ 292,447	$ 264,973
Amortization of interest rate hedges	1,307	3,664	1,932
Fair value of forward starting swaps	(5,524)	4,080	(7,688)
Realized gain – available-for-sale securities	116	298	209
Realized gain – available-for-sale securities	(1,331)	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to NNN	293,748	300,489	259,426
Series D Preferred Stock
Other expenses (revenues):
Preferred stock dividends	0	0	(3,598)
Excess of redemption value over carrying value of preferred shares redeemed	(9,856)	0	(9,855)
Series E Preferred Stock
Other expenses (revenues):
Preferred stock dividends	(13,201)	(16,387)	(16,387)
Series F Preferred Stock
Other expenses (revenues):
Preferred stock dividends	$ (17,940)	$ (17,940)	$ (17,940)