What do all the people do (for work) in rural area towns and unincorporated areas?

Drove hundreds of miles through some very rural New England, USA today. Most areas were very nice with well kept homes and cute, small city centers (mostly only a couple of brick, commercial buildings).

What do people do for jobs out in the "middle of nowhere"? As an engineer who works closer to city areas where more jobs exist, I just can't fathom what people are doing for jobs out there? How is everything paid for?

Edit: I should clarify there's minimal farm land out in rural New England. So, not very many farmers at all.