Early white settlers in the rugged Ozarks, especially those of Scotch-Irish and German descent, created localized societies where cultural patterns were preserved generation after generation. At the same time, the pioneer societies of other less geographically and economically isolated rural regions were quickly changed by large-scale commercial agriculture, industrialization, and even urbanization. Custom and tradition are not taken lightly by Ozarkers. Poverty, another customary part of the Ozarks definition, is also present in the region. But the fact of poverty says less about the Ozarks than is often assumed.
Poverty exists in all regions, most particularly urban ones.
In the country you do for yourself. Many similarities exist, but so do many significant differences. It is a question for another article. But one needn't be a traditional Ozarker, or even try to emulate one, to live and be happy here. Ozarks people are becoming increasingly diverse and cosmopolitan.