Menino found strong support in minority community

Menino's challenger, City Councilor at Large Michael F. Flaherty Jr., was able to win in his home base of South Boston, garnering 72 percent and 62 percent of the votes in Wards 6 and 7, respectively. His third biggest base of support was in Charlestown where he received 55 percent of the votes.

Overall, Menino won in 179 of the city's 254 precincts. Flaherty won in 72. And the two men tied in three precincts.

Menino won 100 percent of the vote in one precinct, getting the single vote cast in the Harbor Islands district.

Menino's 57-42 percent victory Tuesday sent him on to an unprecedented fifth term in office.

With the percentage of minorities in Boston at about 50 percent last year, up from about 38 percent in 1990, minority support has become critical in mayoral campaigns.

Menino also won traditionally black neighborhoods in Roxbury, Mattapan, and Dorchester by lopsided margins in the preliminary election Sept. 22.

Brian Mooney of the Globe staff contributed to this report.