Parts of the North are rough. Middle of New York state. Canajoharie, NY area comes to mind. Pretty country with no money.
But it's not like the sprawling poverty in the south, and the unfortunate ignorance that comes with it.
People who suffer are looking for a return on their investment. If they are not getting it in this life, the church promises it in the next, sorta thing.
I know upstate NY is rough. My brother got into plenty of fights over racist shit and methheads up there. The thing is only education can get people out of it and the people who have money won't part with a cent of it for education. A lot of people down here are self made and don't want to part with a nickel to improve things. Property tax is 6 cents on the dollar but they are surrounded by failing schools being threatened with state takeover.