The area between Detroit and Lansing is experiencing the largest population growth in the state, while the UP continues to lose population. "The 'edge suburban' counties - Livingston, Ottawa, Allegan, Monroe and St. Clair - continue to attract residents from the more heavily built-up core counties, while 'urban core' counties - Oakland, Kent, Washtenaw, Genessee and particularly, Wayne - continue to send more residents to other areas than they attract," said Kurt Metzger, research director at the Center for Urban Studies at Wayne State University.