CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Revenues:
Rental income	$ 658,793	$ 669,009
Rental income			$ 621,399
Interest and other income from real estate transactions	1,888	1,478	1,262
Total revenues	660,681	670,487	622,661
Operating expenses:
General and administrative	38,161	37,651	34,248
Real estate	28,362	27,656	25,099
Depreciation and amortization	196,623	188,871	174,398
Leasing transaction costs	76	261	0
Impairment losses – real estate, net of recoveries	37,442	31,992	28,211
Retirement severance costs	1,766	0	1,013
Total operating expenses	302,430	286,431	262,969
Gain on disposition of real estate	16,238	32,463	65,070
Earnings from operations	374,489	416,519	424,762
Other expenses (revenues):
Interest and other income	(417)	(3,112)	(1,810)
Interest expense	129,431	120,023	115,847
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	16,679	0	18,240
Total other expenses (revenues)	145,693	116,911	132,277
Net earnings	228,796	299,608	292,485
Loss (earnings) attributable to noncontrolling interests	3	(428)	(38)
Net earnings attributable to NNN	228,799	299,180	292,447
Excess of redemption value over carrying value of preferred shares redeemed	0	(9,856)	0
Net earnings attributable to common stockholders	$ 210,859	$ 258,183	$ 258,120
Net earnings per share of common stock:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.22	$ 1.56	$ 1.65
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.22	$ 1.56	$ 1.65
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	172,109,713	164,688,498	155,744,601
Diluted (in shares)	172,217,077	165,083,679	156,295,619
Other comprehensive income:
Net earnings attributable to NNN	$ 228,799	$ 299,180	$ 292,447
Amortization of interest rate hedges	2,300	1,307	3,664
Fair value of forward starting swaps	(7,617)	(5,524)	4,080
Realized gain – available-for-sale securities	0	116	298
Realized gain – available-for-sale securities	0	(1,331)	0
Comprehensive income attributable to NNN	223,482	293,748	300,489
Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests	3	(428)	(38)
Total comprehensive income	223,485	293,320	300,451
Series E Preferred Stock
Other expenses (revenues):
Preferred stock dividends	0	(13,201)	(16,387)
Series F Preferred Stock
Other expenses (revenues):
Preferred stock dividends	$ (17,940)	$ (17,940)	$ (17,940)