“'In the sticks' is just a reference to an area where there are lots of twigs, that is, the countryside.”

https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/in-the-sticks.html

I suspect that's just a historic instance of the same error playing out. But, I'll take that on advisement.

It doesn't make sense as a description of where people live, but [English] language rarely makes sense.

Thanks for your reply.