City Holding Company (Parent Company Only) Financial Information (Condensed Balance Sheets) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended			13 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2014
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Issuance of common stock	$ 28,408	$ 6,864	$ 0	$ 36,400
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	440,604	107,662	0	548,000
Assets
Securities available-for-sale	$ 550,389	$ 450,083		$ 550,389
Deferred tax asset, net	11,913	28,043		11,913
Fixed assets	72,682	75,165		72,682
Other assets	36,361	38,681		36,361
Total Assets	4,132,281	3,984,403		4,132,281
Liabilities
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net	2,361	3,760		2,361
Other liabilities	45,426	45,512		45,426
Total Liabilities	3,629,774	3,541,965		3,629,774
Total Shareholders’ Equity	502,507	442,438	$ 419,272	502,507	$ 390,853
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	4,132,281	3,984,403		$ 4,132,281
Shares Issued, Price Per Share				$ 64.82
proceedsthatcouldbereceived	18,600			$ 18,600
Parent Company
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Issuance of common stock	28,408	6,864	$ 0
Assets
Cash	59,031	26,520		59,031
Securities available-for-sale	5,699	4,231		5,699
Investment in subsidiaries	459,150	430,769		459,150
Deferred tax asset, net	0	1,459		0
Fixed assets	6	7		6
Other assets	2,989	2,584		2,989
Total Assets	526,875	465,570		526,875
Liabilities
Junior subordinated debentures	16,495	16,495		16,495
Dividends payable	7,184	6,459		7,184
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net	436	0		436
Accrued interest payable	45	36		45
Other liabilities	208	142		208
Total Liabilities	24,368	23,132		24,368
Total Shareholders’ Equity	502,507	442,438		502,507
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	526,875	$ 465,570		$ 526,875
Maximum
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Issuance of common stock	$ 55,000