Washington - Democrat Barack Obama won the presidency with a groundswell of support from youth, women, suburbanites and minorities, according to exit polls analyzed by various media organizations since Tuesday's vote.

Both Obama and McCain got 28 per cent of their support from independents, however.

Obama also benefited from what is expected to have been an unprecedented turnout projected at 133.3 million, or 62.5 per cent of eligible voters, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Piles of absentee ballots must still be counted before the final total is known, but the projected number would be nearly 10 per cent more than the 122.3 million people who voted in 2004, the Washington Post reported.

According to the Washington Post exit polls, nearly 25 per cent of Obama's voters were younger than 30, the product of the generational coalition built by Obama's campaign using the internet to raise money and mobilize volunteers.

Obama got 68 per cent of first-time voters; 66 per cent of the age 18-29 group; 45 per cent of the over-65 group; 67 per cent of Hispanics; and 96 per cent of African-American votes, the Post reported, based on its exit polls.

The New York Times calculated what percentage of each candidate's votes came from which group, according to its exit polls that were analyzed by categories.

Seen by race, 90 per cent of McCain's voters were white, 1 per cent each were black and Asian and 6 per cent were Hispanic/Latino. Obama's voters were 61 per cent white, 23 per cent black, 11 per cent Hispanic/Latino and 2 per cent Asian.

Analyzed by gender, McCain's voters were evenly divided between men and women. Obama's voters were 56 per cent women and 44 per cent men.

Seen by party affiliation, 64 per cent of McCain's supporters were Republicans, 8 per cent were Democrats and 28 per cent were independents. For Obama, 6 per cent were Republicans, 67 per cent were Democrats and 28 per cent were independents.

According to age, 42 per cent of McCain's voters were under 45 years old, and the rest older. For Obama, 52 per cent were under 45 years old.

Seen by income, 32 per cent of McCain's voters earned less than 50,000 dollars and the rest earned more than that. For Obama, 42 per cent earned less than 50,000 dollars.

Obama's loss among whites (43 per cent to 55 per cent) has been typical for Democrats over past elections. (dpa)