I'm far too white to have much input on this Susie.
What I will say though, living in the rural north of England, is that "Where are you from?" accompanied by stares and suspicious looks is an absolutely standard response to a stranger.
I'm not denying the possibility that for someone with a BIPOC identity there might be an extra level of 'loaded'.
However, I've lived in this village for 25 years now and I'm considered an 'incomer'.
I only moved here from two towns over! Lol
Rural communities can be such a strange mixture of open/insular, welcoming/off-putting, friendly/closed off.
And that's to everyone who hasn't lived there for at least 3 generations!
Anyone who's seen 'The League of Gentlemen' comedy sketches will recognise "Are you local?". People living in rural communities know just how much this hilarious Local Shop and it's odd couple keepers (who murder walkers and those come to work on 'New Road') are developed from a foundation of realistic scenarios.