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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>0001181431-04-057136.txt : 20041207
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-04-057136.hdr.sgml : 20041207
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041207141914
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-04-057136
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041207
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041207
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041207

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CITY HOLDING CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000726854
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021]
		IRS NUMBER:				550619957
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			WV
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		25 GATEWATER ROAD
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 7520
		CITY:			CHARLESTON
		STATE:			WV
		ZIP:			25313
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3047691100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		25 GATEWATER ROAD
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 7520
		CITY:			CHARLESTON
		STATE:			WV
		ZIP:			25313

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MCLAUGHLIN PHILIP L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001022207

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-11733
		FILM NUMBER:		041188228

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		600 S COURT ST
		CITY:			LEWISBURG
		STATE:			WV
		ZIP:			24901
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd60448.xml
<DESCRIPTION>MCLAUGHLIN, GIFT 12/07/2004
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-12-07</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000726854</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CITY HOLDING CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CHCO</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001022207</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MCLAUGHLIN PHILIP L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>25 GATEWATER ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CROSS LANES</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>WV</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>25313</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-12-07</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>140.</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>34601.</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>199.</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>by spouse</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3865.3940</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>by 401(k) Plan &amp; Trust</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Includes shares acquired pursuant to the Company's 401(k) Plan &amp; Trust during the fiscal year in transactions exempt from 16b under old Rule 16a8(b).  Share totals are reported as of the 12/31/2003 plan valuation date.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Shares gifted by the reporting person to the College of William &amp; Mary Athletic Education Fund at an undisclosed price.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Victoria A. Evans, Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-12-07</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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