The modern history of Cherry Valley begins with John Lindesay receiving a land grant from George II of England; he moved there in 1739, and seven Anglo-Scottish families from New Hampshire moved into the area the following year. Due to high snow, the community almost failed but was saved by provisions from local natives. During the American Revolutionary War, Walter Butler, a New YorkLoyalist, led a mixed force of Indians and Loyalists to the area, resulting in the Cherry Valley Massacre, during which more than 40 people were killed and many were captured. This massacre was followed by a second raid in 1780, leading to the temporary abandonment of the village. The town was established in 1791 from Canajoharie as one of the original towns in the county. It was subsequently divided, giving rise to several new towns: Middlefield, Springfield, and Worcester and Roseboom in 1854. In 1812, the community of Cherry Valley set itself apart by incorporating as a village. The Tepee was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2011.
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,266 people, 482 households, and 350 families residing in the town. The population density was 31.6 people per square mile. There were 629 housing units at an average density of 15.7 per square mile. The racial makeup of the town was 98.82% White, 0.08% Black or African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.08% from other races, and 0.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.24% of the population. There were 482 households, out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.3% were married couplesliving together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.2% were non-families. 23.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.10. In the town, the population was spread out, with 27.1% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.3 males. The median income for a household in the town was $39,107, and the median income for a family was $44,559. Males had a median income of $28,810 versus $22,417 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,792. About 7.9% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.8% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.
