Using The Right Word - Fall Or Autumn?

I just noticed the use of the word “autumn,” in a magazine and mentioned to my colleagues that was strange because that’s not common usage for an American-English, but “fall,” is. My colleagues suggested that it is okay to use autumn.  Being American-British and raised in the UK we used autumn to describe the falling leaf season.

However, I’m now wondering if there are regional differences in the U.S. I spent 11 years on the West Coast in California and Washington State in Seattle, and I’d say the majority of people would use the word “fall.” But thinking about my recent time in Boston (6 years) people were certainly familiar with the word “autumn,” and would use it.

Is my journey down to North Carolina helping me to discover the regional differences between West and East coasters? I don’t think west coasters would use the word autumn, but would use fall. What are your thoughts?