<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><edgarSubmission xmlns="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/ownership" xmlns:ns0="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/common">
<headerData>
<submissionType>144</submissionType>
<filerInfo>
<filer>
<filerCredentials>
<cik>0001201821</cik>
<ccc>XXXXXXXX</ccc>
</filerCredentials>
</filer>
<liveTestFlag>LIVE</liveTestFlag>
</filerInfo>
</headerData>
<formData>
<issuerInfo>
<issuerCik>0000723188</issuerCik>
<issuerName>COMMUNITY BANK SYSTEMS</issuerName>
<secFileNumber>001-13695</secFileNumber>
<issuerAddress>
<ns0:street1>5790</ns0:street1>
<ns0:street2>WIDEWATERS PARKWAY.</ns0:street2>
<ns0:city>DEWITT</ns0:city>
<ns0:stateOrCountry>NY</ns0:stateOrCountry>
<ns0:zipCode>13214</ns0:zipCode>
</issuerAddress>
<issuerContactPhone>315 445  315</issuerContactPhone>
<nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>ERIC STICKELS</nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>
<relationshipsToIssuer>
<relationshipToIssuer>DIRECTOR</relationshipToIssuer>
</relationshipsToIssuer>
</issuerInfo>
<securitiesInformation>
<securitiesClassTitle>Common</securitiesClassTitle>
<brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
<name>APEX CLEARING</name>
<address>
<ns0:street1>5790 </ns0:street1>
<ns0:street2>WIDEWATERS PARKWAY</ns0:street2>
<ns0:city> DEWIT</ns0:city>
<ns0:stateOrCountry>NY</ns0:stateOrCountry>
<ns0:zipCode>13214</ns0:zipCode>
</address>
</brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
<noOfUnitsSold>2000</noOfUnitsSold>
<aggregateMarketValue>12718000</aggregateMarketValue>
<noOfUnitsOutstanding>5255</noOfUnitsOutstanding>
<approxSaleDate>06/08/2026</approxSaleDate>
<securitiesExchangeName>NYSE</securitiesExchangeName>
</securitiesInformation>
<securitiesToBeSold>
<securitiesClassTitle>Common</securitiesClassTitle>
<acquiredDate>06/08/2026</acquiredDate>
<natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>NA</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
<nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>COMMUNITY BANK SYSTEMS</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
<isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
<amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>0</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
<paymentDate>06/08/2026</paymentDate>
<natureOfPayment>NA</natureOfPayment>
</securitiesToBeSold>
<nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>Y</nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>
<noticeSignature>
<noticeDate>06/08/2026</noticeDate>
<planAdoptionDates/>
<signature>/s/Eric Stickels</signature>
</noticeSignature>
</formData>
</edgarSubmission>
