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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001239944-08-000046.txt : 20080722
<SEC-HEADER>0001239944-08-000046.hdr.sgml : 20080722
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080722175022
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001239944-08-000046
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080718
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080722
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080722

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DICERBO NICHOLAS A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001234449

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13695
		FILM NUMBER:		08964181

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2835 WEST RIVER ROAD
		CITY:			OLEAN
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			14760
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7163725731

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COMMUNITY BANK SYSTEM INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000723188
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021]
		IRS NUMBER:				161213679
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5790 WIDEWATERS PKWY
		CITY:			DEWITT
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			13214
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8007242262

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5790 WIDEWATERS PARKWAY
		CITY:			DEWITT
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			13214
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-07-18</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000723188</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>COMMUNITY BANK SYSTEM INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CBU</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001234449</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DICERBO NICHOLAS A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2835 WEST RIVER ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>OLEAN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>14760</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>90240.6174</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>99819.6966</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Law Firm (Partner)</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1869.5678</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Spouse</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Phantom Stock (Deferred Compensation)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-07-18</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>252.193</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>22.80</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>252.193</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>36979.0918</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Includes 818.855 shares acquired on July 10, 2008 under the Community Bank System, Inc. Dividend Reinvestment Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Includes 824.069 shares acquired on July 10, 2008 under the Community Bank System, Inc. Dividend Reinvestment Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Includes 13.091 shares acquired on July 10, 2008 under the Community Bank System, Inc. Dividend Reinvestment Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Each unit of phantom stock is the economic equivalent of one share of Community Bank System, Inc. common stock.  The units of phantom stock relating to the Deferred Compensation Plan will be settled in Community Bank System, Inc. common stock at future dates selected by the reporting person.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Includes 352.7298 units of phantom stock acquired on July 10, 2008 pursuant to the Deferred Compensation Plan's dividend reinvestment feature.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Donna J. Drengel, as attorney-in-fact, pursuant to a power of attorney for Nicholas A. DiCerbo</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-07-22</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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