Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Real Estate Properties [Abstract]
Land	$ 220,361	$ 213,617
Buildings and improvements	3,041,616	2,836,673
Construction in progress	3,093	24,556
Real estate properties, gross	3,265,070	3,074,846
Less accumulated depreciation	(597,638)	(514,453)
Real estate properties, net	2,667,432	2,560,393
Mortgage and other notes receivable, net	292,427	340,143
Cash and cash equivalents	43,344	5,215
Straight-line rent receivable	95,703	86,044
Equity-method investment and other assets	21,583	32,020
Assets held for sale, net	0	18,420
Total Assets	3,120,489	3,042,235
Liabilities and Equity
Debt	1,499,285	1,440,465
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	25,189	26,313
Dividends Payable	49,818	46,817
Lease deposit liabilities	10,638	10,638
Deferred income	12,614	19,750
Total Liabilities	1,597,544	1,543,983
Commitments and Contingencies
National Health Investors Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock, $.01 par value; 60,000,000 shares authorized; 44,587,486 and 42,700,411 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	452	446
Capital in excess of par value	1,540,946	1,505,948
Cumulative net income in (excess) deficit of dividends	(22,015)	(5,331)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	(7,149)	(3,432)
Total National Health Investors Stockholders' Equity	1,512,234	1,497,631
Noncontrolling interest	10,711	621
Total Equity	1,522,945	1,498,252
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 3,120,489	$ 3,042,235