Kurt Metzger, research director at Wayne State 's Center for Urban Studies, commented about recent updated U.S. Census data showing Oakland County 's work force status. From 2000-2003, Oakland County was second only to Wayne County with 32,235 lost jobs compared to Wayne County's loss of 47,544. Michigan ranked second in the country in the number of jobs lost, with 187,565. Of those, 139,589 were manufacturing jobs. "Where the country will see the growth is on the jobs that require higher education," Metzger said.