Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Revenue
Base rent	$ 181,141	$ 172,381	$ 168,303
Expense recoveries	35,347	34,269	32,911
Percentage rent	1,458	1,379	1,608
Other	9,339	9,041	6,255
Total revenue	227,285	217,070	209,077
Operating expenses
Property operating expenses	27,689	27,527	26,565
Provision for credit losses	906	1,494	915
Real estate taxes	26,997	24,680	23,663
Interest expense and amortization of deferred debt costs	47,225	45,683	45,165
Depreciation and amortization of deferred leasing costs	45,694	44,417	43,270
General and administrative	18,176	17,496	16,353
Acquisition related costs	0	60	84
Predevelopment expenses	0	0	132
Total operating expenses	166,687	161,357	156,147
Operating income	60,598	55,713	52,930
Change in fair value of derivatives	70	(6)	(10)
Gains on sales of properties	0	1,013	11
Net income (loss)	60,668	56,720	52,931
Income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(12,411)	(11,441)	(10,463)
Net income attributable to Saul Centers, Inc.	48,257	45,279	42,468
Preferred dividends	(12,375)	(12,375)	(12,375)
Net income available to common stockholders	$ 35,882	$ 32,904	$ 30,093
Per share net income available to common stockholders
Basic (in usd per share)	$ 1.64	$ 1.53	$ 1.42
Diluted (in usd per share)	$ 1.63	$ 1.52	$ 1.42