The first log cabin was built in 1788 by Col. William Monroe, who served as a drummer boy during the Revolutionary War.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.1 square miles (5.5 km2), all land.

Along the western border, Canasawacta Creek flows south, until it unites with the Chenango River at the southern city limits.

Norwich lies near the center of the triangle that can be drawn connecting the cities of Syracuse, Albany, and Binghamton, along Interstates 90, 88, and 81, respectively.

State Highway 23, which cuts laterally through the northern side of the city, leads east 32 miles (51 km) to the city of Oneonta and access to Interstate 88, while to the west NY 23 leads in the direction of Cortland and Interstate 81, 42 miles (68 km) away.

Formed in 1887 as a partnership between Reverend Lafayette Moore and Oscar G. Bell, a drug store employee, the company grew to become a major developer and manufacturer of medicines and veterinary products, known for its Unguentine antiseptic dressing (introduced in 1893) and Pepto-Bismol, an upset-stomach and anti-diarrhea medication (introduced in 1901 under a different name).

This caused the loss of many jobs in Norwich, resulting in the city struggling to figure out a new economic model.

The founder, David Maydole, was an enterprising blacksmith who set out to create a hammer with a safely attached head.

Until June 2006, the community was served by the New York, Susquehanna and Western Railroad, which operated trains on the old DL&W line between Binghamton and Utica.

That service ended as a result of flood damage in 2011 to the portion of the line between Sangerfield and Chenango Forks.

Due to loss of jobs in the area, population has declined, affecting both admissions and attendance at the college in recent years.

To the south are three plazas just outside city limits, featuring supermarkets, gas stations, fast food, Lowe's and Walmart.

The broadroom-style auditorium was listed in the League of Historic Theaters in 1989, and underwent an extensive renovation in 1995 after years of abandonment with contributions from local government, corporate donors and hundreds of former alumni of the high school.

Numerous festivals and events mark the Norwich calendar, with residents looking forward to several annual cultural traditions.