You're from here and you missed this joke.
What it meant was, people who leave the area end up missing their families and friends and ties so much that they are drawn back in. They like to bitch about it but are secretly happy to be back. That is why almost everyone here, is from here.
St. Louisans are the most straightforward and honest people I've met in the big cities I've spent significant time in. Your miserable slam against them is uncalled for. Other than you, they are also very bright.
Edit: Norm and Owl are not representative of the natives. Nor am I, but then IANAN.