PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Assets:
Cash on deposit with subsidiary bank	$ 28,130	$ 31,600
Securities available for sale, at estimated fair value	280,507	346,016
Total assets	1,524,539	1,476,143	1,248,160
Liabilities and shareholders' equity:
Dividends payable	1,204	1,195	0
Total liabilities	1,390,911	1,337,565
Shareholders' equity:
Total shareholders' equity	133,628	138,578	131,115	125,929
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	1,524,539	1,476,143
STATEMENTS OF INCOME [Abstract]
Income (loss) before income tax expense	11,866	12,553	16,407
Income tax benefit	3,709	3,822	5,385
Net income	8,157	8,731	11,022
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	8,157	8,731	11,022
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Change in other assets	(7,438)	(6,213)	6,084
Change in other liabilities	15,086	9,403	588
Net cash provided by operating activities	18,443	22,972	24,562
Cash flow from financing activities:
Purchase of treasury stock	0	(93)	(636)
Sale of treasury stock	0	71	258
Net cash provided by financing activities	30,249	34,883	19,634
Increase (Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(22,446)	11,368	(12,661)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	51,609	40,241	52,902
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	29,163	51,609	40,241
Parent Company [Member]
Assets:
Cash on deposit with subsidiary bank	3,200	2,686
Dividends receivable from subsidiary bank	1,204	1,195
Securities available for sale, at estimated fair value	346	343
Other Assets	1,129	1,254
Total assets	134,868	139,814
Liabilities and shareholders' equity:
Dividends payable	1,204	1,195
Other liabilities	36	41
Total liabilities	1,240	1,236
Shareholders' equity:
Total shareholders' equity	133,628	138,578
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	134,868	139,814
STATEMENTS OF INCOME [Abstract]
Dividends from subsidiary bank	4,805	4,778	4,573
Interest and dividend income	10	9	7
Other income	0	132	150
Operating expenses	261	324	331
Income (loss) before income tax expense	4,554	4,595	4,399
Income before income tax	7,990	8,607	10,864
Income tax benefit	(167)	(124)	(158)
Net income	8,157	8,731	11,022
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	8,157	8,731	11,022
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Change in dividend receivable	(9)	(1,195)	1,141
Change in other assets	126	558	765
Change in other liabilities	110	79	48
Expense related to employee stock compensation	117	112	80
Expense related to restricted stock units for directors' deferred compensation plan	94	99	87
Expense to employee restricted stock awards	151	131	80
Net cash provided by operating activities	5,310	4,503	6,758
Cash flow from financing activities:
Cash dividends paid	(4,796)	(3,583)	(5,714)
Purchase of treasury stock	0	(93)	(636)
Sale of treasury stock	0	71	258
Net cash provided by financing activities	(4,796)	(3,605)	(6,092)
Increase (Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	514	898	666
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	2,686	1,788	1,122
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	3,200	2,686	1,788
Parent Company [Member] | Chemung Canal Trust Company [Member]
Assets:
Investment in subsidiary	128,081	133,557
STATEMENTS OF INCOME [Abstract]
Equity in undistributed earnings	3,307	3,873	6,411
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in undistributed earnings	(3,307)	(3,873)	(6,411)
Parent Company [Member] | CFS Group Inc. [Member]
Assets:
Investment in subsidiary	908	779
STATEMENTS OF INCOME [Abstract]
Equity in undistributed earnings	129	139	54
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in undistributed earnings	$ (129)	$ (139)	$ (54)