It’s funny we are somewhat rural but my experiences are opposite in some regards. The locals consist to too high of a percentage of multi generational welfare families. I think the word Appalachia paints a picture well enough.
Interestingly it’s the outsiders who are coming in and farming and setting up sustainable and organic farms. It’s the outsiders who are building infrastructure and creating businesses and jobs.
My areas economy was largely dependent on mills. In the 80’s they started being moved abroad. The young workers moved to other places. This left retirees and those who depend on at least part of living from government, to a high percentage. Now that people are moving into the area from outside, things are changing.
Those who work, work hard and have a lot of machinery and skills, between that and the large amount of small farms and truck gardens and grass fed beef, pork, and poultry operations, we have a lot of food security here.